MALPRESENTATIONS. 52o 



case, the practitioner jumps at the conclusion that they 

 are both fore-legs, or both hind legs, and under this im- 

 pression exerts any force in an effort to deliver the young 

 animal, the most serious results will be likely to occur. 

 In such a case, a careful examination of the position of 

 the foetus should be made; and, having ascertained its 

 position, the best method of effecting delivery should be 

 considered. If a posterior presentation be decided upon, 

 the fore-limb should be pushed back, and the other hind- 

 limb secured and brought up by the side of its fellow. If 

 the practitioner concludes that it will be easier to make an 

 anterior presentation, the hind-limb should be forced back 

 into the cavity of the uterus, the fore-limb sought for, and, 

 when found, placed in position by the side of its fellow; the 

 head also placed in position, and delivery effected. 



Back presentation is one of the most difficult of all mal- 

 presentations to rectify. Every effort should be made to 

 turn the foetus into its proper position. 



Twins are occasionally met with, and in exceptional 

 cases, one limb of each may be presented, and force 

 used in an endeavour to bring them both out together, 

 under the mistaken idea that both of the limbs presented 

 belong to one foetus. AYhen by a careful examination the 

 true state of affairs is discovered, one foetus should be 

 forced back into the cavity of the uterus as far as may be 

 necessary, and the other one brought forward in the proper 

 position, when delivery will usually take place without 

 further assistance, first of one foetus and then of the other. 

 If assistance be required, it may be rendered in the ordinary 

 way. After a case of parturition, if the practitioner con- 

 siders that the young animal is smaller than ordinary, it 

 will be advisable to make an examination of the uterus, to 

 ascertain whether it contains another foetus. As a rule, 

 when a foetus dies in the uterus it is expelled. Expulsion 



