"The uterus being situated in the centre of the pelvis, between the rectum and bladder, its retroversion cannot take place without deranging the functions of these organs: the symptoms thus produced come on rapidly when the displacement is sudden, slowly when it is gradual. Their severity is in proportion to the size of the uterus, the degree of retroversion, its duration, and the various circumstances which increase the impaction of the uterus in the cavity of the pelvis: they also determine the degree of inflammation and gangrene of this organ and the neighbouring parts." (_Martin le Jeune_, p. 178.) Hence we frequently observe in the earlier stages of retroversion, before the displacement has become complete, that the patient is able to relieve the bladder to a certain extent, although very imperfectly, and that with some difficulty; a slight dribbling of urine continues to a very advanced stage, when the bladder is enormously distended, and upon the point of bursting: this is not so much the case with the rectum, the passage of fæces being generally completely obstructed at an early period, partly from the pressure of the fundus against it, and partly from the solid nature of its contents. "When such suppressions once begin they aggravate the evil, not merely by causing pain, but by occasioning a load of accumulated fæces in the abdomen above the uterus, which presses it still lower into the cavity of the pelvis, at the same time that the distension of the bladder in this state draws up that part of the vagina and cervix uteri with which it is connected, so as to throw the fundus uteri still more directly downwards." (Dr. W. Hunter, _Med. Obs. and Inquiries_, vol. iv. p. 406.) These conditions of the bladder and rectum, and the retroversion of the uterus, act reciprocally as cause and effect; for the continuance of the distension of the bladder and the descent of the fæces from the part of the intestine above the obstruction, must elevate still more the os uteri, and depress to a still greater degree the fundus. The retroversion, on the other hand, increases the affection of the bladder and rectum, from which the principal danger of the disease arises. (Burns's _Anat. of the Gravid Uterus_.)