ON TORSION OF THE UTERUS IN THE COW. 249 
relates one of torsion of the neck of the uterus in a cow, but the 
translator has not given the particulars. 
M. Eleouet, V.S., in the district of Morlaix (Finistere), mentions 
a case of reversion of the uterus in a cow, where the primitive 
accident became implicated with a rupture of that organ, across 
which the hand of the operator had to pass. M. Eleouet terminated 
the operation without taking any notice of the rupture, and the 
animal perfectly recovered. 
Mr. Batho, of Tilstock, near this town, had a cow that could not 
be delivered in consequence of the uterus being twisted, and which 
was discovered after death. Cause unknown. 
Treatment . — It may sometimes happen that cows, or other ani- 
mals, may occasionally have a twisting of the uterus when they 
have not attained their full period of utero-gestation. In such 
cases, little can be done but combat the existing symptoms, since, 
of course, it is doubtful whether it really exists. But whenever 
the animal is known to be nearly at her full time, and labour pains 
come on, and she cannot calve, we may suspect such an occurrence. 
If the os uteri is dilated, we shall easily ascertain whether the 
uterus is twisted or not ; and if it is, we shall be unable to pass our 
hand into the uterus, or to touch the foetus. Other symptoms may 
assist us in our diagnosis, such as examining the abdomen exter- 
nally, to ascertain if any displacement of the foetus has taken place 
to any other part of it more than usual. We should also introduce 
our arm up the rectum to find out, if possible, whether there is any 
swelling or enlargement of the neck of the uterus, indicating such 
a result. 
If we really believe that there is a twisting of it, what is the 
best way to proceed] But little hitherto has been written on the 
subject. The four cases related by M. Canu, and the one in my 
neighbourhood, were left to their fate, and died. But Mr. Carlisle 
was more bold and scientific ; he performed the Caesarean operation. 
Before I decided on the Caesarean operation or abdominal incision, 
I should be disposed to turn the cow clear over once or twice, for 
the purpose, if possible, of untwisting it, and after having done so, 
make an examination to see whether the -uterus was untwisted. 
If I found it was not, I should then turn her the contrary way, and 
afterwards make the same examination. If I did not succeed in 
this way, I should proceed according to a suggestion given me by 
Mr. John Steel, of Biggar, Lanarkshire, viz., to make an incision 
between the ileum and the ribs on the right side, and try to untwist 
it. If I succeeded, I should sew up the wound, and allow the 
labour to take its natural course ; but if not, I am not aware that 
there is any other means but that of performing the Caesarean 
operation. 
VOL. XXIII. 
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