160 BOVINE OBSTETEICS 



character of aseptic peritonitis — or a subacute one, witli 

 exudations between the folds of the uterus first ; next, for- 

 mation of young connective tissue, leading finally to adhesions. 

 In the former, decomposition of the foetus and its distention by 

 gas formation are common. In subacute peritonitis the calf is 

 often not decomposed. 



In the abdominal cavity an exudate, either sero-hsemor- 

 rhagic or sero-fibrinous, is always found. 



When septic peritonitis leads to septicssmia, the cadaver 

 soon decomposes, and besides the symptoms due to dissolution 

 of the blood, enteritis and pieuritis are present. 



In rupture of the uterus the lower wall of the cervix uteri 

 is usually torn off and a part of the foetal waters mixed with a 

 great deal of blood are contained in the abdominal cavity. 

 Occasionally the calf is found within the latter. 



Prognosis. — A torsion, occurring toward the end of gesta- 

 tion, must be judged as to its degree and length of time during 

 which it existed. Torsions up to 180 degrees are more favor- 

 able than those exceeding it. A living calf is a favorable indi- 

 cation for a happy termination. A torsion of two or three days' 

 standing, where the owner and others have made repeated 

 explorations, should be prognosed unfavorably. 



Although experience teaches that the termination is usually 

 more favorable than imagined (of 121 cases in Mosching's 

 statistics, 94 were corrected), a careful prognosis nevertheless 

 is indicated. 



Torsio uteri does not seem to predispose an animal to the 

 same condition in future pregnancies. 



Therapeutics. — The treatment endeavors to remove the 

 torsion. Many methods are employed. Every practitioner 

 prefers the one giving him the best results, and justly so. 

 Any thinking man must admit that a standard method is 

 not applicable to every torsion, and when one is unsuc- 

 cessful, another one should be practiced. In fact, every case 

 must be criticized separately and that treatment employed 

 which is apt to yield the best results in the case under con- 

 sideration. I discuss the treatment here under two heads : 



