78 



THE BREEDING OF ANIMALS 



FIG. 13. Abnormal anterior 

 tation. 



presen- 



under the body ; fore feet normal, but head bent to one 

 side or downward ; fore legs normal, but the head bent 

 backward and upward ; all four feet presented ; thigh 

 and croup presented first, with hind legs bent under 



body (Fig. 14) ; the back 

 first presented, with fore 

 and hind legs extending 

 backward toward the 

 uterus (Fig. 15). 



72. Normal presen- 

 tations. In the early 

 stages of parturition, 

 it is desirable to deter- 

 mine whether the foetus 

 is normally in position 

 to be expelled with least 



difficulty. As already described, the normal presenta- 

 tion is head and fore legs forward, or in some cases 

 (twins) the hind legs forward. In making the examina- 

 tion for the purpose of determining whether the foetus is 

 in proper position, the hand and arm should be thoroughly 

 cleansed and oiled 

 with vaseline, and 

 inserted into the 

 vagina and an ex- 

 amination made. 

 The manipulation 

 should be conducted 

 with extreme gentle- 

 ness and under such conditions as shall not excite the 

 pregnant animal. Advantage should be taken of the 

 lulls in the labor pains to make the examinations. While 

 the muscular contractions are on in full force, little can 



FIG. 14. Abnormal posterior presentation. 



