182 BUREAU OF ANIMAL IT^fDUSTRY. 



to remove superfluous (monstrous) parts. Some of the simplest opera- 

 tions in eml)r3'otomy (incision of the head in h3^drocephalus, incision 

 of the belly in dropsy) have alread}^ been described. It remains to 

 notice the more difficult procedures which can be best undertaken by 

 the skilled anatomist. 



Amputation of the head. — This is easy when both fore limbs are 

 turned back and the head alone has made its exit in part. It is more 

 difficult when the head is still retained in the passages or womb, as 

 in double-headed monsters. The head is secured b}' a hook in the 

 lower jaw, or in the orbit, or b}^ a halter, and the skin is divided 

 circularh' around the lower part of the face or at tlie front of the ears, 

 according" to the amount of head protruding. Then an incision is 

 made backward along the line of the throat, and the skin dissected 

 from the neck as far back as possible. Then the muscles and other 

 soft parts of the neck are cut across, and the bodies of two vertebrae 

 (neck bones) are severed by cutting completel}' across the cartilage 

 of the joint. The bulging of the ends of the bones will serve to indi- 

 cate the seat of the joint. The head and detached portion of the neck 

 may now be removed b}' steady pulling. If there is still an obstacle, 

 the knife may be again used to sever an}^ obstinate connections. In 

 the case of a double-headed monster, the whole of the second neck 

 must be removed with the head. When the head has been detached 

 a rope should be passed through the eyeholes, or through an artificial 

 opening in the skin, and tied firmly around the skin, to be employed 

 as a means of traction when the missing limbs or the second head have 

 been brought up into position. 



Amputation of the hind UnJj. — This mav be required when there 

 are extra hind limbs, or when the hind limbs are bent forv\-ard at hock 

 or hip joint. In the former condition the procedure reseral)les that 

 for removal of a fore limb, but requires more anatomical knowledge. 

 Having noosed the pastern, a circular incision is made through the 

 skin around the fetlock, and a longitudinal one from that up to the 

 groin, and the skin is dissected from the limb as high up as can be 

 reached, over the croup, if possible. Then cut through the nmscles 

 around the hip joint, and, if possible, the two interarticular ligaments 

 of the joint (pubio-femoral and round), and extract the limb by strong 

 dragging. 



Amputation of the fore Umhs. — This may usually be begun on the 

 fetlock of the limb projecting from the vulva. An embryotomy knife 

 is desirable. This knife consists of a blade with a sharp, slightly 

 hooked point, and one or two rings in the back of the blade large 

 enough to fit on the middle finger, while the blade is protected in the 

 palm of the hand. (See Plate XV, fig. 4.) Another form has the 

 blade inserted in a mortise in the handle, from which it is pushed 

 out by a movable button when wanted. First phice a noose around 



