204 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



In case the limb is bent forward at the hock, a rope is passed round 

 that and pulled so as to bring the point of the hock between the lips 

 of the vulva. The hamstring and the lateral ligaments of the hock 

 are now cut through, and the limbs extended by a rope tied round the 

 lower end of the long bone above (tibia). In case it is still needful 

 to remove the upper part of the limb, the further procedure is the 

 same as described in the last paragraph. 



In case the limb is turned forward from the hip, and the fetus so 

 wedged into the passage that turning is impossible, the case is very- 

 difficult. I have repeatedly succeeded by cutting in on the hip joint 

 and disarticulating it, then dissecting the muscles back from the 

 upper end of the thigh bone. A noose was placed around the neck of 

 the bone and pulled on forcibly, while any unduly resisting struc- 

 tures were cut with the knife. 



Cartwright recommends to make free incisions round the hip joints 

 and tear through the muscles when they can not be cut; then with 

 cords round the joelvic bones, and hooks inserted in the openings in 

 the floor of the pelvis to drag out the pelvic bones; then put cords 

 around the heads of the thigh bones and extract them; then remove 

 the intestines; finally, by means of the loose, detached skin, draw out 

 the body with the remainder of the hind limbs bent forward be- 

 neath it. 



Eeuff cuts his way into the pelvis of the foal, and with a knife 

 separates the pelvic bones from the loins, then skinning the quarter 

 draws out these pelvic bones by means of ropes and hooks, and along 

 with them the hind limbs. 



The hind limbs having been removed by one or the other of these 

 procedures, the loose skin detached from the pelvis is used as a means 

 of traction and delivery is effected. In case of a monstrosity with 

 extra hind limbs, it may be possible to bring these up into the passage 

 and utilize them for traction. 



Removal of the abdorrdnal viscera. — In case the belly is unduly 

 large, from decomposition, tumors, or otherwise, it may be needful 

 to lay it open with the knife and cut or tear out the contents. 



Removal of the thoracic viscera. — To diminish the bulk of the chest 

 it has been found advisable to cut out the breastbone, remove the 

 heart and lungs, and allow the ribs to collapse with the lower free 

 ends overlapping each other. 



Dissection of the trunk. — In case it becomes necessary to remove 

 other portions of the trunk, we should follow the general rule of 

 preserving the skin so that all manipulations can be made inside this 

 as a protector, that it may remain available as a means of exercising 

 traction on the remaining part of the body, and as a covering to 

 protect the vaginal walls against injuries from bones while such 

 part is passing. 



