284 BREEDING 



the orbit of the eye, when these parts are placed beyond the reach of 

 the hand, and in critical cases, when the mare is in clanger and a firm 

 hold is imperative, sharp ones may also be made available in connection 

 with the latter. In applying them, however, care should be taken to 

 implant them well into the orbit, and to avoid the use of excessive force, 

 lest we should tear out and injure the walls of the uterus. 



When no sufficient hold can be secured by any other means, double 

 hooks or crotchet forceps (figs. 559), blunt or pointed, may be employed. 



Double crotchets will be found serviceable in a variety of conditions, 

 and especially w r hen no sufficient hold can be secured by other means. 

 These instruments may be made to enter the tissues and take a firm hold 

 of deep-seated tendons or ligaments, or be anchored on to bones. 



In employing these several aids to delivery it should be understood 

 that everything which it may be found necessary to introduce into the 



Fig. 559. Pollock's Obstetric Forceps, with double Hooks 



uterus or genital passage should be thoroughly clean and disinfected, 

 and the same precaution also applies to the hands of the operator, whose 

 nails should be cut short as a safeguard against injury to the womb. 



APPLICATION OF FORCE IN DELIVERY 



When force is employed in the removal of the foetus it should be 

 steady, regular, -and continuous. Jerky and spasmodic traction avails 

 but little, and may be actually injurious both to the dam and offspring. 

 The effort, when commenced, should be sustained, and increased steadily 

 with each throe or labour pain, so that the outward force and the inward 

 force shall continue and operate simultaneously. Until the head has 

 passed through the vulva the pull should be directly backwards, then 

 slightly inclined downwards so as to prevent the withers jamming against 

 the upper boundary of the pelvic outlet. As the shoulders pass through 

 the pelvic outlet the resistance will be very considerably increased. To 

 overcome it a pull should be taken slightly to one side and then to the 

 other, and the same alternation of movement may be practised when the 

 hips drag in the passage. 



Where the case is protracted and signs of exhaustion appear in the 



