338 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



rope can be passed around the neck it will prove most effectual, as 

 it naturally slides nearer to the head as the neck is straightened and 

 ends by bringing the head within easy reach. 



HIND FEET ENGAGED IN THE PELVIS. 



In this case fore limbs and head present naturally, but the 

 hind limbs bent forward from the hip and the loins arched allow 

 the hind feet also to enter the passages, and the further labor ad- 

 vances the more firmly does the body of the foal become wedged 

 into the pelvis. The condition is to be recognized by introducing 

 the oiled hand along the belly of the fetus, when the hind feet will 

 be felt advancing. An attempt should at once be made to push 

 them back, one after the other, over the brim of the pelvis. Failing 

 in this, the mare may be turned on her back, head downhill, and 

 the attempt renewed. If it is possible to introduce a straight rope 

 carrier, a noose passed through this may be put on the fetlock and 

 the repulsion thereby made more effective.- In case of continued 

 failure the anterior presenting part of the body may be skinned and 

 cut off as far back toward the pelvis as possible; then nooses are 

 placed on the hind fetlocks and traction is made upon these while 

 the quarters are pushed back into the womb. Then the remaining 

 portion is brought away by the posterior presentation. 



ANTERIOR PRESENTATION WITH BACK TURNED TO ONE SIDE. 



The greatest diameter of the axis of the foal, like that of the 

 pelvic passages, is from above downward, and when the fetus enters 

 the pelvis with this greatest diameter engaged transversely or in 

 the narrow diameter of the pelvis, parturition is rendered difficult 

 or impossible. In such a case the pasterns and head may be noosed, 

 and the passages and engaged portion of the foal freely lubricated 

 with lard, the limbs may be crossed over each other and the head, 

 and a movement of rotation effected in the fetus until its face and 

 back are turned up toward the croup of the mother; then parturi- 

 tion becomes natural. 



BACK OP THE FOAL TURNED TO THE FLOOR OF THE PELVIS. 



In a roomy mare this is not an obstacle to parturition, yet it 

 may seriously impede it, by reason of the curvature of the body of 

 the foal being opposite to that of the passages, and the head and 

 withers being liable to arrest against the border of the pelvis. 

 Lubrication of the passage with lard and traction of the limbs and 

 head will usually suffice with or without the turning of the mare 

 on her back. In obstinate cases two other resorts are open: First, 

 to turn the foal, pushing back the fore parts and bringing up the 

 hind so as to make a posterior presentation, and, second, the ampu- 

 tation of the fore limbs, after which extraction will usually be easy. 



HIND PRESENTATION WITH LEG BENT AT HOCK. 



In this form the quarters of the foal with the hind legs bent 

 up beneath them present, but can not advance through the pelvis 

 by reason of their bulk. The oiled hand introduced can recognize 

 the outline of the buttocks, with the tail and anus in the center and 

 the sharp points of the hocks beneath. First pass a rope around 

 each limb at the hock, then with hand or repeller push the buttocks 



