704 



Veterinary Obstetrics 



of the uterus becomes inflamed, and finally tends to adhere to 

 other portions of the peritoneum with which it comes in contact, 

 so that in one case observed by us, almost the entire peritoneal 

 surface of the uterus was very firmly adherent to the intestines, 

 rumen, bladder and abdominal walls. In addition to these ad- 

 hesions, in severe cases, the peritoneal cavity contains an abnor- 

 mal amount of a reddish-colored serum. 



Not only does the uterus become adherent to surrounding 

 organs and tissues, but one part of the organ becomes firmly ad- 

 herent to another part of it or to its broad ligaments, especially 

 about the cervix, so that even if the rest of the organ is free from 

 adhesions it may be difiicult to untwist it because of adhesions 

 existing between the coils in the twisted portion itself. 



When the torsion continues to an extreme degree, the organ 

 and its broad ligaments give way, and the uterus, with its con- 

 tents, becomes almost or wholly detached and lies free within 



Fig. 119. Torsion of the Uterus in Ewe. 



Followed by transverse rupture of the vagina and sloughing of the 

 putrid fetus through the abdominal floor. 



A, Vulva. E. Ovary. 



B, Vaginal stump. F, Uterine cornu. 



C, Broad ligament. G, Intestine. 



D, Cord-like cervix, entwined by broad ligament. 



