TORSIOX OF THE VrEUrs. 337 



The contrary expression of course means a precisely contrary move- 

 ment : left side, back, right side, sternum, left side. 



From all this it must be admitted that, in order to effect detorsion 

 of the uterus, the Cow should be rolled in the same direction the uterus 

 followed during torsion ; and it is also clear that the uterus does not 

 participate to the same extent as the body of the animal in the rotatory 

 movement to which the latter has been subjected. 



Supposing, as Saint-Cyr has done, that the torsion has been recog- 

 nised as left, and as is depicted in Fig. 93 (p. 327). 



In such a case the animal would be cast on its left side, and turned 

 successively on its back, right side, sternum, and left side — it icould he 

 rolled, in fact, from left to right. 



If one complete rotation does not sufBce, then the movement must 

 be continued in the same direction until the hand can freely pass to 

 the cervix and into the uterus. 



The soundness of these views of our estimable colleague is amply 

 verified in the very numerous cases of torsion of the uterus which have 

 been published during the last thirty years on the Continent, and par- 

 ticularly in France, of which he gives a few examples. All the facts 

 collected by him are unanimous in justifying the acceptance of the 

 precept which he has formulated in the following brief and distinct 

 manner, for application in these often-times diHicult cases : Torsion to 

 the left — lay the animal on the left side and roll it to the left. Torsion 

 to the right — lay the animal on the right side and roll it to the right. Or 

 the same precept might be formulated in this way: In torsion from rigJit 

 to left roll the Coic from left to right ; and vice versd. 



Though this precept appears contradictory to what has been recom- 

 mended above — in order to reduce the torsion, make the body of the 

 animal execute an equal degree of movement, and in the same direc- 

 tion, as that executed by the uterus ; yet the contradiction is only 

 apparent, not real. In fact, in this manoeuvre the movement of rotation 

 does not really commence at the moment when the Cow, lying on its 

 side, is turned on its back; but rather at the time when it is thrown on 

 its side from the standing posture. If it is thrown on the left side for a 

 left torsion, it really falls from right to left — or in the same direction as 

 the uterine twist. 



Since the publication of these valuable remarks, further confirmation 

 of their exactness has been afforded by various papers published in 

 different veterinary- periodicals. 



There is not much to add with regard to this " rotation " treatment 

 of torsion. We have recommended that if the animal can be moved 

 from its stall, and time permit, it should be thrown down on litter in a 

 roomy place ; all the limbs may be tied together at once ; or first the 

 two fore and then the two hind legs, these being fastened together 

 afterwards, but not allowed to cross. For an ordinary-sized Cow five 

 assistants are necessary ; one of these is to be placed at the animal's 

 head to hold it, and make it follow the movements of the body ; the 

 second should keep the limbs as close to the belly as possible, when the 

 Cow is rolled over on them. It is verj- important during the operation 

 that the hocks be kept flexed as much as possible, in order to prevent 

 the udder being damaged, and also to avoid muscular injuries to the 

 upper part of the hind limbs. The other three assistants should lift 

 and roll the Cow, and aid the second in pulling at the hind legs when 

 the animal is being placed on its back. We have already described 



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