384 FCETAL DYSTOKIA. 



cranium beyond the muzzle and eyes, with the ears on each side, and its 

 unequally resisting surface — hard in some parts, soft or fluctuating in 

 others. When, however, there is a malposition of the foetus, then it is 

 sometimes more difficult to discover the hydrocephalus j and often this 

 cannot be done until the position is remedied. The head should be 

 sought for in every case, and it will be recognized by the mouth, eyes, 

 and ears ; after which the size, consistence, and form of the cranium can 

 be estimated by passing the hand over it. 



In the posterior presentation, hydrocephalus has been recognized while 

 the foetus was still in the uterus. The greatly enlarged head may be felt 

 per rectum, or even through the abominal walls. But, as a rule, it is only 

 at an advanced period of labor, and when the body of the young creature 

 is already beyond the os, and perhaps without the vulva, that a difficulty 

 is discovered and the cause sought for. 



Fig. 83. 

 Extraordinary Development of the Cranium of a Hydrocephalic Calf.* 



In such a case manual exploration is necessary, and this should be 

 effected, if possible, by passing the hand between the foetus and the wall 

 of the vagina. This is difficult if the body is still in the passage, and it 

 may be requisite to have recourse to traction to withdraw it therefrom. 

 If, however, it is beyond the vulva, then the hand can be easily passed 

 along the neck as far as the head, when the real state of affairs can be 

 discovered. 



Indications, , 



The indications for treatment in cases of dystokia from hydrocephalus 

 alone, without reference to such a complication as malposition of the 

 foetus, are simple and few. 



When the hydrocephalus is not considerable, judicious traction will 

 often accomplish delivery \ and several cases are on record in which foals 

 and calves whose cranium was of large size and full of fluid, have been 

 delivered by this means, some of them alive, and in the posterior as well 



* For the photograph oi Figs. 82, 83, and 99, I am indebted to my friend, Mr. Shipley, M.R.C.V.S., 

 of Yarmouth. 



