INJURIES OF THE UTERUS, VAGINA AND VULTA 299 



obturator foramen and tlie ischium posterior to the cotyloid 

 cavity. 



In all these fractures the cow cannot rise, or only with 

 difficulty. With regard to their diagnosis, I refer to works on 

 surgery. 



2.— Injuries of the Uterus, Vagina and Vulva. 



Various injuries of the uterus may occur during birth. 

 The mucosa may only be involved, but also the muscularis and 

 serosa. It is termed a penetrating wound, when all three 

 layers are included. Eventration may or may not be present. 

 Abdominal viscera may possibly pass through the wound into 

 the uterine cavity, usually the colon or the omentum. Uter- 

 ine injuries may be divided into spontaneous ruptures, small 

 wounds in the pregnant cornu and in the cervix. 



Spontaneous ruptures are those which take place at the end 

 of the period of gestation or during the act of parturition, 

 without being caused by any interference from without. 



Causes: Torsio uteri (Albrecht). On account of the cir- 

 culatory disturbances following torsio uteri, this organ is pre- 

 disposed to rupture, which takes place readily on the slightest 

 cause ; but external injuries also may give rise to it, as seen in 

 the case described by Albrecht, where abdominal hernia and 

 a uterine rupture 30 cm. long followed the blow from a horn. 

 Ruptures in the posterior segment of the uterus usually occur 

 during the act of parturition. 



Tapken is of the opinion that, since in all probability the 

 contractions of the bovine uterus — same as that of man — render 

 it longer and more narrow, the muscular elements accumulate 

 opposite to the cervical canal, this causing a stretching of the 

 posterior uterine segment and possibly rupture. This view 

 seems to be correct, since experience teaches that in certain 

 positions of the foetus energetic uterine contractions predispose 

 to rupture. Very often we observe in spontaneous rupture of 

 the uterus a posterior presentation with the hind legs under 

 the abdomen (Tapken, Strebel. Albrecht). I myself have seen 



