DISEASES OP THE OX AND SHEEP. 655 



straightened, and the head consequently brought nearer to the 

 pelvic opening. 



Now bring the fore-legs forward again, and at the same time 

 pull the cords firmly, so as to bring the head in position, and 

 then delivery may be ejBfected. In extreme cases of this kind ot 

 presentation the foetus is often found to be dead, and if so there 

 is reason for using instruments in order to aid our efforts. A 

 hook attached by means of a hinge-joint to a steel rod, and 

 having at the other end a cross-handle removable at pleasure, is 

 a very useful instrument. The operator, taking the hook in his 

 hand, and carrying it towards the orbit, directs his assistant to 

 advance it or draw it backwards, as he may find necessary in 

 order to aid his eff'orts to place it within the orbit. After having 

 adjusted the head, the legs are to be brought up by means of the 

 cords, and delivery is then to be eff'ected in the usual manner. 



Sometimes, however, it may be found quite impossible to 

 secure the head. If this is found to be the case^ the best plan 

 is for the surgeon to proceed carefully to cut up the calf, 

 removing first the fore-legs. This is effected by concealing a 

 small knife in the palm of the hand, and making with it a deep 

 incision from the fetlock of the fcBtus to the shoulder. The skin 

 may then be separated from the leg by passing the finger between 

 the skin and muscles. By the application of some degree of 

 force, the whole of the leg can be pulled away. The other fore- 

 leg should then be treated in the same way, and ropes should 

 then be attached to the loose skin. Then there will be more 

 room for securing the head. 



Sometimes, however, it may be found necessary, by means of 

 a strong, short scalpel, to disarticulate the skull at the first or 

 the second cervical vertebra, and then to detach the head, and 

 so complete the delivery. If only one fore-leg projects, the best 

 course is to secure the other foot, and then proceed as above, 

 so far as may be found possible. 



{c.) The next form of presentation which Professor Simonds 

 describes is that shown in the figure which is represented in 

 Fig. 89. It will in this illustration be seen that the head of the 

 foetus is alone protruded, the neck of the animal being in the 

 vaginal passage, the rest of the body occupying the uterus, and 

 the two fore-legs being situated down in the body of the 

 uterus. 



