162 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



them with the history of the case. Next the treatment proper 

 begins. 



The correction of the abnormal position may be done in two 

 ways : 



1. By rotation of the cow after previously fixing the calf 

 and uterus. 2. By rotation of the uterus and calf. 



The latter may be done from (a) the vagina ; (b) by detor- 

 sion after laparotomy. 



No matter which method is employed, we must always 

 remember that elevation of the posterior extremities greatly 

 assists in the removal of such an abnormal condition. While 

 speaking of spontaneous retorsion it was mentioned that the 

 evacuation of the foetal water may have a favorable effect. 

 Therefore, whenever possible, the foetal envelopes should be 

 ruptured by hand. By reducing the volume of the uterus, 

 room is gained and retorsion may become easier. 



I. — ROTATION OF THE COW. 



The purpose of this method consists in placing the uterus 

 in a normal position, by rotating the mother in the direction of 

 the torsio uteri. Thus, in right torsio uteri, the cow is rolled 

 over to the right. In many cases the uterus rotates at the 

 same time, making retorsion impossible. Only when uterus 

 and calf remain stationary can torsio uteri bo remedied by 

 rotating the mother on her long axis. 



Eotation of the cow is executed as follows : In right torsio 

 uteri the cow is placed upon the right side, or we wait until 

 she does so herself. Should she retain the standing posture 

 too long, she may be thrown carefully. The fore legs and hind 

 legs are secured, but not all four feet tied in a bunch. After 

 elevating the hind quarters by pushing bundles of straw under 

 it, rotation may begin. The bundles of straw are best made by 

 laying one-half of the straw with their heads one way and the 

 other half in the opposite direction, in order to secure a bundle 

 of uniform thickness. Each bundle is tied up with three ropes 

 to prevent the cow from gliding off it, which occurs when 

 ordinary bundles of straw are used. 



