Torsion of the Uterus 707 



upon the uterus through the fetus, should be to the left. If the 

 birth canal is sufficiently open to permit the feet to pass through 

 and beyond the vulva, the correction of the position of the uterus 

 is rendered much more simple, because greater power is given to 

 effect rotation of the fetal body by grasping the limbs. Having 

 flexed the foot at the fetlock, the pastern may be used as a lever 

 to exert power. Various machines and appliances have been 

 suggested to aid the operator in these cases, but, as a general 

 rule, where the torsion is so slight its correction constitutes a 

 rather simple procedure, and not much equipment is necessaty 

 for the purpose. In correcting this slight torsion, the animal 

 should be in the standing position, if practicable, and with the 

 hind- feet much higher than the fore-feet. We have not observed 

 such slight torsion though it has been reported by others. 



When the torsion has advanced to such a degree that the hand 

 cannot be inserted into the uterine cavity, it is impossible to turn 

 the uterus by the application of force to the vagina. 



2. In severe torsion we may attempt either to turn the uterus 

 within the abdomen of the patient or to turn the body of the 

 patient and keep the uterus fixed. 



The method most frequently employed for bringing about the 

 reduction of the torsion is that of turning or rolling the patient. 

 The operation is best performed in the open field if weather and 

 other conditions permit. Otherwise a commodious room is se- 

 lected. The patient is to be cast with her hind parts elevated, so 

 that the uterus may tend to drop away from the pelvis and hang 

 attached by the vagina, much like a bag freely suspended from a 

 fixed support. If the torsion is to the right, the patient should be 

 cast upon the right side. The two forefeet should be firmly 

 bound to each other and the two hind feet to each other. The 

 forefeet should not be attached to the hind feet, because this 

 would exert compression upon the abdomen, which would in- 

 terfere with the rotation of the uterus upon its long axis, and 

 consequently with the replacement of the organ. 



The operator should be careful to keep the posterior parts of the 

 patient well elevated. He should kneel or lie behind the patient 

 and insert his hand as far as possible, to hold the vagina or uterus 

 as firmly as may be and also to determine the result of the oper- 

 ation of rolling. The operation proceeds upon the assumption 

 that, in rolling the body of the animal, the gravid uterus shall 



