524: THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



above. If the foal is dead, and in this position, it usually 

 becomes necessary to ijerform embryotomy. In some cases 

 the limbs may be found to be jammed in the passage so 

 tightly as to be immovable, rendering the performance of 

 embryotomy very difficult. The chain saw should be 

 introduced, and passed around the limb, and as much of the 

 latter as possible removed from the body. In many cases 

 the limb cannot be severed higher than the hock. After 

 removal of the whole, or a portion, of the limbs presented 

 has been effected, the abdominal cavity of the foetus should 

 be penetrated, and its contents removed. This may be done 

 with comparative ease, being much easier than separating the 

 foetus at the sacral or lumbar region as some do. After re- 

 moval of the hind limbs, and the abdominal viscera, the 

 remaining portions of the foetus may be brought away with 

 ease. Occasionally a breech presentation is met within which 

 the foetus is found to be lying on its back. An endeavour 

 should be made to turn it over into its proper position ; 

 this failing, the hind feet should be grasped by an assistant, 

 and the foetus pulled upwards. The lifting of the foetus 

 may be greatly facilitated by placing a broad bandage under 

 the belly of the animal, and each end held by a man who 

 should, Avhen directed, exert pressure in such a manner as 

 to hft the uterus. The practitioner should at the same 

 time guide the foetus over the brim of the pelvis, when, as a 

 rule, delivery takes place without any more trouble. 



Sometimes a case is met with in which the head is pro- 

 truded, and swollen to an enormous size ; the feet are turned 

 back, and the young animal is dead. In such a case 

 the practitioner should remove the head, return the body of 

 the foetus to the uterus, and get it into proper position 

 for delivery, or perform embryotomj'. 



Occasionally there may be one fore-limb and one hind- 

 limb presented. In this presentation, if, as is often the 



