170 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



lu the other case of torsio uteri, the hand could only be 

 passed into the uterus with difficalty. After successful retro- 

 version, nature was allowed to take its course. Fourteen hours 

 later parturition took place without any special aid. 



How shall we proceed, when the os uteri is still closed 

 after detorsion? 



When the ligaments are sunk in, and the udder full, so that 

 everything points to an early parturition, we should not be in 

 too great a hurry to forcibly dilate the os uteri. Cautious 

 dilatation by rotary movements with the finger do no harm. 

 Incisions are to be avoided unless the os uteri is obliterated. 

 As regards the latter, I refer to page . It is much belter to 

 modify the excessive activity of the abdominal muscles- by 

 giving chloral hydrate per os or per rectum ; the latter is 

 preferable. 



Another examination made in a few hours usually detects 

 some dilatation. As long as the calf lives, we may wait for a 

 sufficient dilatation. 



In cases where dilatation of the cervix uteri succeeds re- 

 troversion, and the water-bag can be felt with the finger, nature 

 is permitted to take its course, and assistance rendered where 

 necessary. 



When torsion has existed for some days or longer and the 

 foetus is dead, insufficient dilatation of the cervix often follows 

 retroversion. Should the pains be feeble and the foetal water 

 partly evacuated, the immediate mechanical dilatation of the 

 cervix uteri becomes a necessity (see page 



2. — Abnormalities in. the Parturient Passages. 



As : pelvic constrictions, morbid alterations in the cervix 

 uteri, abnormalities of the vagina and vulva. 



PELVIC CONSTEICTION. 



While discussing pelvimetry it was stated that the normal 

 dimensions of the pelvic inlet and passage are definite in char- 

 acter ; it was further remarked that the dimensions of the fcetus 



