652 THE DISEASES AND DISOEDEES OF THE OX. 



so that we have but little to apprehend if we can succeed in 

 reducing the size of the head. {Fide Fig. 87.) 



Having satisfied ourselves, by an examination, of the real con- 

 dition of the parts, let the fore-legs be returned into the body of 

 the uterus in order to make more room. 



Then place a hook attached to the end of a cord within the 

 orbit, draw firmly at this with the left hand, so as to fix the 

 head against the brim of the pelvis below, and the sacrum above. 

 By means of the right hand introduce with very great care an 

 instrument called a perforator, thrust its point through the bones 

 of the head, and split them asunder by compressing the handles 

 of the instrument. The bones of the head must be effectively 

 crushed, great care being exercised in this process. We should 

 here say that in all cases when certain parts of the foetus are 

 to be put back into the uterus, they should first be secured by 

 ropes, so that, when it is necessary, they can be drawn out at will. 

 When the cranial bones have been crushed, an exit will thereby 

 be given to the fluid in the cranial cavity, and the foetus will 

 therefore be capable of passing through the pelvis. Of course 

 the legs of the foetus must be brought one after the other into 

 the vagina, when moderate traction will in all probability suffice 

 to withdraw the foetus, the force being applied in this, as in every 

 other case, only during the maternal efforts. 



Among the varieties of natural delivery we must speak of 

 twin-labour. As a rule, one foetus is presented with the head 

 and fore-legs advancing, and the other in the reverse position. 



Now sometimes first one calf and then after some little time 

 another one, and then again after some little time even a third 

 may appear. In the case of twins, the fore-leg of one calf and 

 the hind-leg of another may be presented, or there may be two 

 fore-legs and one hind-leg. It is necessary that the calf whose 

 fore-legs appear, or the one which is first presented, should be 

 adjusted correctly, and then that the other should be for the 

 time being returned into the uterus. In all cases, if there has 

 been some diflBculty in parturition, one should, after the birth 

 of a calf, explore the uterus by means of the hand, with the 

 view of ascertaining if another be present or not. 



As we have pointed out above, there is great danger to be 

 apprehended if the foetal membranes be retained. Should this 

 be the case, it will be best to remove them, using great care, 



