OBSTETRICS 265 



the uterus is easily recognized unless it be far forward and out 

 of reach — which sometimes occurs. 



Cause. — Volvulus may be caused by the patient slipping or 

 falling, and especially if the cow or mare rolls over, late in the 

 period of pregnancy. Some authors think it may be due to 

 active and unusual movements of the fetus. 



Treatment. — If the twist is slight, the operator may be able 

 to reduce it by introducing the hand into the uterus, grasping 

 some portion of the fetus, and causing the uterus to unwind by 

 a strong, twisting motion. Even when it is possible to intro- 

 duce the hand, treatment is apt to be a slow and difficult task. 

 It is necessary to proceed slowly as the tissues relax. If the 

 case is at all difficult, call your veterinarian promptly. Some- 

 times it lis necessary to throw the cow or mare, then introduce 

 the hand, grasp firmly one or more limbs of the fetus, and have 

 the cow rolled in the opposite direction from the twist, holding 

 firmly to the fetus meanwhile. If the operator can succeed in 

 getting his hand into the uterus, and especially if he can get 

 one or more fetal limbs through the neck of the uterus, the 

 twist often may be reduced. Many of these cases, however, are 

 exceedingly difficult or incurable. 



Accidents of Parturition 



The most common accidents are: (a) Infection; and inflam- 

 mation of the uterus (metritis); (6) inversion of the uterus; 



(c) tear in the vagina; followed by infection and vaginitis; 



(d) retention of fetal membranes; (e) hemorrhage; (/) mam- 

 mitis (garget). 



Metritis. — Inflammation of the uterus is a very serious dis- 

 order and apt to result in death from septic metritis or peri- 

 tonitis. The symptoms usually appear within one to four days, 

 with chill, high fever, thirst, abdominal pain, and cold extremi- 

 ties—ears, horns, etc.— straining, vaginal discharge and 

 swollen, discolored vulva. There is frequently posterior pa- 

 ralysis. Pressure in the right flank is very painful. 



Inversion of the uterus.— This disorder is most common in 

 the cow, and may be partial or complete. There may also be 

 partial eversion of the bladder and vagina. It may be due to 

 excessive force used in aiding delivery, or to failure of the 

 Uterus to contract after delivery. 



