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ON TORSION OF THE UTERUS IN THE COW. 
By W. A. Cartwright, M.R.C.V.S., Whitchurch , Salop. 
TORSION, or twisting of the uterus, is but of rare occurrence, 
yet now and then it has been known to occur. I know but of 
seven cases on record, and of another that happened in my own 
neighbourhood. The cause I consider must generally be attributed 
to falling down precipices, 01 * to accidentally being upset by other 
cows. Great distention of the stomachs may, either of itself or 
especially in connexion with a fall, cause the uterus to be forced on 
one side, or twisted. 
The first case (vide The VETERINARIAN, vol. xiii, p. 407) is 
by Mr. J. Carlisle, V.S., Wigton, on which the Caesarean operation 
was performed. This was caused by her tumbling down a break 
into a ditch, and remaining there for some time struggling very 
much. The calf and uterus were turned or twisted, in consequence 
of the lateral ligaments giving way, which would take place during 
the fall, as the poor animal completely turned over before she fell 
to the ground. 
The uterus was completely rotated even to the termination of the 
vagina, and which rendered all attempts to pass the hand impracti- 
cable. The Caesarean operation was performed; but the same 
night she died. 
On EXAMINATION, the mesentery, attaching the small intestines 
to the spine, was torn for a considerable length ; the pelvic region 
being completely crammed with them, in a state of putrefaction. 
The broad ligaments near to the cervix uteri were extensively 
ruptured ; and the cervix uteri, where it had been twisted, was 
highly inflamed. That part of the gut which rested on the brim of 
the pelvis was strangulated from the weight of the calf resting upon 
it. He believed that the pains that were supposed to be connected 
with parturition were nothing more than from the injuries sustained 
by the sphacelated intestine. 
M. Canu, V.S., Thorigny (Manche), vide The VETERINARIAN, 
vol. xiv, p. 413, in a memoir related four cases of a peculiar species 
of displacement of the uterus, observed in the cow during gestation. 
In each of these cases, that portion of the womb which ought to 
have been connected with the left flank was found in connexion 
with the right flank. This displacement had given a tortuous di- 
rection to the neck of the uterus which frustrated all attempts to 
effect parturition. The cows died because it was impossible to re- 
move the foetuses from them. 
M. Lecoq, V.S., Bayeux, in a memoir, amongst other cases. 
