194 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



and head protruding ; and when you are called and find the membranes 

 protruding, examine the parts, if you can, before rupturing the mem- 

 branes, and if all is right, delivery is generally easy ; and do not use 

 much force, but while the pains are present, use gentle force. But 

 there are abnormal or unnatural presentations. Sometimes the abdo- 

 men of the foetus is enlarged to an enormous extent, the result of 

 dropsy. Although the head and feet protrude in a natural way, it is 

 impossible for delivery to be accomplished without help. In such a 

 case return the fcstus to a certain extent, and see if there are any ab- 

 normal conditions. If it is dropsy, let the water out, either with a 

 long trochar, and canula, or make an incision in the belly and let the 

 fluid out. The foetus is not generally alive in such cases ; and if alive, 

 there is no use keeping it alive ; and you may meet a case of hydroce- 

 phalus, until the head is distended — until delivery is impossible. The 

 feet and nose are perhaps protruding, and by inserting the hand you 

 can feel the enlarged condition of the head ; then let the water out. 

 And there are other deformities, which, although the presentation be 

 natural, will give you trouble; and when you see a proper presenta- 

 tion and DO delivery, you may expect some difficulty, and hard work 

 and perseverance are necessary. And do not be hasty in giving a case 

 up, but make a careful examination, and find whether it is a fore leg 

 or a hind one, which seems an easy thing, but when it is covered by 

 the membranes it is not so very easy. We sometimes meet a case 

 where the labour pains are present to a certain extent, without any 

 signs of delivery. Make an examination, and if a mare is suffering 

 from pains previous to her time, give one to one-and-a-half ounces of 

 tincture of opium ; or the powdered opium, one to one-and-a-half 

 drachms. If the os-uteri is not dilated, use a little patience, and do not 

 resort to force too soon, but dilate the os-uteri ; and after you have 

 properly dilated it, delivery will take place ; but there are exceptional 

 cases. If the pains have been present for some time, then dilate the 

 os-uteri, and in some cases, inject with tepid water ; smear the parts 

 with belladonna and oil, or soap and water ; get one or two fingers in 

 and work away, and dilation will gradually take place just by the force 

 of the hand. If this fails, you will, in some cases, have to cut it, and 

 this is attended with more success in the cow than in the mare ; but, 

 in some cases, it is the only chance. Make the incision in the upper 

 part, but do not be in a hurry using the knife. We sometimes meet 

 with cases where the hind feet are presented, but this is not a very 

 difficult presentation. It is about second in the list, and it is rare 

 that it is accomplished with some assistance. Possibly the body is 

 turned on one side. The way to proceed is to examine closely, to see 

 what you have to deal with, and turn upon the belly, as nearly as pos- 

 sible, by making an assistant pull the feet while you get your hand in 

 beside the body and turn it over, and delivery can be accomplished. 

 Another condition is having the hind feet presented and the foetus 

 upon its back, when delivery cannot be accomplished without assist- 

 ance. Proceed to turn it upon the belly, if possible, by attaching a 

 rope and manipulating, and the fewer instruments used the better ; but 

 you will often find benefit from the rope, and it is best to raise the 

 hind parts a little, and while the rope is being pulled, endeavour to 

 raise the buttock of the foetus over the pelvic bones. Great damage is 

 done by pulling upon the foetus when in this position, and when you 

 use force pull upward. 



Breech Presentation Proper is where the buttocks and hind quar- 

 ters are presented. It is very difficult, and if it is a powerful mare, 



