TORSION OF THE DOUBLE COLON 279 



has occurred, but also the precise direction of it. The 

 right hand introduced into the rectum commences to pal- 

 pate the distended pelvic flexure, and then follows the 

 muscular bands, now become plain to the touch, for they 

 are stretched tight by torsion. In this manner one finds, 

 say, the muscular band of the fhird portion of the bowel 

 directed from below to above, from before to behind, and 

 from without to within. This indicates torsion from left 

 to right of the third portion of the bowel upon the 

 second.' 



Of the direction taken by the bands in the case of tor- 

 sion of half a turn from right to left, Cadeac says nothing. 

 In either case, however, he informs us that in the event 

 of half a turn only, whether it is torsion to the right or 

 torsion to the left, the line of lymphatic glands and blood- 

 vessels along the bowel has taken up a superior position. 

 Pollowing that, he is careful to explain that when torsion 

 occurs to the extent of a whole turn, this manipulation 

 tells us nothing ; for the simple reason that when complete 

 twist has occurred, the glands and vessels, by proceeding 

 further in the direction of twist, have come eventually to 

 occupy their normal position. 



Read casually, this would at first sight appear to 

 altogether negative the value of this method of examina- 

 tion. But it does not. It simply means that while, by 

 manipulating the glands, we can ascertain the direction 

 of twist in the case of incomplete torsion, we are unable 

 to do so when the torsion is complete. 



By this time the veterinary surgeon should realize 

 definitely that he is dealing with a case of incomplete 

 torsion of the bowel. In fact, he may at this stage com- 

 municate something of his summing up to the owner, at 

 the same time guarding his opinion, after the manner 

 explained under the section on Prognosis. Should he 



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