336 MATERNAL LYSIOKIA. 



the reduction of the torsion, the Cow must be rolled in the same direc- 

 tion as it ; others assert that the rolling should be contrary to the 

 torsion ; while others, again, pretend that both procedures are correct, 

 according as in one the uterus is maintained fixed, while in the other it 

 remains free in the abdominal cavity. 



The confusion imported into the discussion was probably largely due 

 to the manner in which each disputant looked at the question — or, 

 rather, to the position in which he mentally placed himself during the 

 supposed operation. For instance, one may have fancied an animal in 

 a standing attitude placed before him ; another, with a Cow lying on 

 its back ; another stood in front of the beast ; another imagined he was 

 behind it ; and another stood at its right side, while a seventh viewed 

 it from the left. Consequently, each discussed the torsion, and the 

 mode of remedying it by rolling, from his own particular point of view ; 

 so that the terms they employed in the discussion could not fail to be 

 contradictory. 



Fortunately, in practice no great harm could result ; as in whatever 

 direction the torsion may have existed, and however baftiing the spiral 

 curving of the vaginal rugae may have appeared in bad cases, the grand 

 test and guide was the effect produced by rolling. If, when the Cow 

 was turned to the right, the vagina became shorter and more firmly 

 constricted, then it was evident that the animal was being rolled in the 

 wrong direction, and rolling to the left was indicated, when the con- 

 striction would be diminished and the vagina lengthened. The pro- 

 cedure might be empirical ; nevertheless it was invaluable. 



But there can be no reason why the remedy should be empirical, or 

 why the confusion in terms which has, unfortunately, existed should be 

 allowed to hinder the progress of science, and even throw obscurity on 

 the practice of such an important operation in obstetrical surgery. 



Saint-Cyr had already explained as succinctly and clearly as possible 

 the exact meaning to be attached to the terms "right torsion" and 

 "left torsion"; and he has set himself as diligently to demonstrate 

 what should be understood by " rolling an animal to the right," and 

 " rolling it to the left." He supposes an animal laid on its riglit side ; 

 if it is desired to turn it on its left side, it is evident that this may be 

 accomplished in two different ways : first, by rolling it on its hack and 

 allowing it to fall on the left side ; and, second, placing it on its sternum 

 and pushing it over on its left side. In both cases the result is the 

 same : the animal lying at first on the right side, finds itself at last ou 

 the left side. And yet it is perfectly obvious that the second movement 

 is exactly the reverse of the first ; while it is not less evident that the 

 creature in both movements has been turned from right to left : for this 

 expression in its real sense simply means that the animal has been 

 moved from its right to its left side. 



But in order to give to this expression a precise signification, a con- 

 ventional interpretation is necessary. This, Saint-Cyr proposes, should 

 be as follows : — " It ought to be thoroughly understood that, in the 

 movement of rotation impressed on the body of an animal, we should 

 always commence by placing it on its back before bringing it on the 

 side opposite to that on which it first lay." 



In this sense, " to turn or roll a Cow from right to left," means that 

 the animal, " laid at first on its right side, was placed on its back, then 

 on its left side, then on the sternum, and finally on the side from which 

 it commenced — the right." 



