1 88 DETR UNO A TION. 



assistant render the leg tense by exerting moderate traction, 

 as in the preceding. Introduce the hand armed with the 

 embryotomy knife, carefully concealed in the palm, and 

 girdle the skin around the articulation. Passing above the 

 head of the olecranon on the posterior side, divide the 

 attachment of the anconean group of muscles with the 

 knife by cutting from behind forward. Then divide 

 transversely, as far as possible, the muscles and ligaments 

 passing over the articulation. Rotate the limb forcibly on 

 its long axis while strong traction is maintained, and rup- 

 ture the principal ligaments until the limb is completely 

 detached and comes away. In cases of limited room it may 

 sometimes be easier to detach the skin of the limb from the 

 pastern up to the articulation, as in the preceding chapter, 

 rather than to girdle the skin at the articulation. 



49. DETRUNCATION. 

 PI.ATE XXX. 



Object. In case a fetus in the anterior presentation and 

 dorso-sacral position has one or both posterior limbs devi- 

 ated forward and the feet engaged in or against the pubis, 

 it is necessary, or at least advisable in the mare, that the 

 trunk of the fetus be divided in order to bring about delivery 

 without serious or fatal injury to the mother. 



Technic. Secure the two hind feet by means of cords, 

 if possible, prior to other manipulations. Apply cords to 

 the two anterior limbs and the head, have one or two assist- 

 ants draw the anterior part of the fetus as far out as is prac- 

 ticable and safe, and then girdle the foetal body immediately 

 against the maternal vulva by making an incision through 

 the skin and skin muscle. If practicable it is best at this 

 point to remove one shoulder subcutaneously, 47, and fol- 

 low with evisceration, 53, in order to give greater operative 

 room and increased mobility of the foetus. Insinuate the 



