340 MATEIIXAL DYSTOKIA. 



Nature to effect the expulsion of the young creature. Bh^th is generally 

 not long delayed under such circumstances, and the operator has the 

 satisfaction of knowing that he has been the means of saving the Cow, 

 and very often its progeny, with but trifling inconvenience to both. 

 The after-consequences, so far as the Cow is concerned, are of no more 

 importance than those of ordinary parturition. 



But not infrequently, deceived by the slight symptoms of indisposi- 

 tion the Cow at first exhibits, the owner does not send for the veterin- 

 arian until too late to save the fcetus, and even the Cow. 



In some cases it will be found that birth cannot take place after re- 

 position of the organ, from inertia or paralysis of its muscles ; this 

 is due either to the great extension the fibres have experienced, the inter- 

 rupted circulation of blood in the organ, or injury to its nerves. 



In such cases stimulants should be given, and friction applied to the 

 abdomen and loins. Ergot of rye is recommended by Continental 

 veterinarians. Should uterine action not speedily ensue, and particu- 

 larly if the OS is dilated and the membranes are ruptured, the foetus 

 must be removed by traction. If the os is impervious, and atony 

 of the uterus continues, then steps must be adopted to deliver artifi- 

 cially. 



When the torsion has been in existence for some time, the liquor 

 amnii expelled, and the uterus closely applied round the foetus, then 

 extraction is difficult and laborious, and prolapsus uteri is not unlikely 

 to follow. The genital canal should be lubricated with glycerine, and 

 injections of tepid water may be thrown into the uterus ; when the 

 secundines are removed, it may be necessary to inject some anti- 

 putrescent substance, if there are foul-smelling discharges or any 

 apprehension of septicaemia. 



In serious cases, after reposition of the uterus and delivery of the 

 foetus, grave complications may ensue — such as metritis, metro-perito- 

 nitis, etc. It may also then be discovered that a rupture of the viscus 

 exists. 



These compHcations must be treated according to their indications. 



7. Gastko-hysterotojiy, oe C^saeian Section. — This operation has 

 been recommended when the other measures described above have 

 failed, with the object of saving the foetus, if it be alive, or to preserve 

 the life of the Cow. Laparotomy may be resorted to sometimes, instead 

 of abdominal section towards the linea alba. 



Eocco^ has twice successfully performed the Caesarian section in 

 torsion of the uterus, and delivered living Calves. Lemaire- relates a 

 case of torsion and rupture of the uterus, in which recovery was hopeless. 

 The Cow was killed, the abdomen immediately and widely opened, and 

 the foetus extracted from the uterus with all haste. The Calf was alive, 

 and did well. Violet has also had recourse to this operation for the 

 same reason ; the Calf livecl, but the Cow died two days afterwards. 



We shall describe the operation hereafter. 



Torsion of the Uteeus in the Maee. 



Torsion of the uterus in the Mare is a rare accident. This is doubt- 

 less owing to the direction of the uterine cornua, and the manner in 



^ II Medico Veterinaria, 1863. 



- Becueil de Medecine Veterinaire, ISoS. 



