Dystokia 



205 



When the head is greatly distended with " water on 

 the brain" (Fig. 41), a small incision through the top 

 of the head will allow the fluid to escape, and the deliv- 

 ery will be easily accomplished. 



When the fetus cannot be secured in any other man- 

 ner, it is necessary to perform embryotomy. Special 

 knives made for this purpose are a great advantage, 

 but a common pocket-knife can be used, by winding 

 the lower half of the blade with a string; the point 

 of the blade can be used for cutting, and when 

 inserting the knife into 

 the womb the blade can 

 be protected by the 

 hand, so that it will not 

 injure the mother. Em- 

 bryotomy is a hard, and 

 often a difficult task to 

 perform, but in many- 

 cases it is the only hope 

 of saving the dam. In 

 treating cases of diffi- 

 cult labor, the following 

 directions should be ob- 

 served : Be sure to get 

 the fetus in a good position, either with the head and 

 fore legs in the passage, or the hind legs, before attempt- 

 ing to use force in taking it away. After getting the 

 fetus straight, use gentle traction, pulling in a down- 

 ward direction. The amount of force that one person 

 can exert is usually sufficient; in some cases more may- 

 be employed, but the practice of tearing the fetus away 



Fig. 41. Head of foal with "water on 

 the brain." 



