DISEASES OF THE FOETUS. 



393 



The foetus, in addition to the defective conformation of its left fore leg, had a very 

 short and thick neck, and the xiphoid cartilage vi'as about eight inches long and 

 curved upwards. The calcis of the right hock did not project, and the femur of the 

 same limb was bulging 



Cartwright gives two instances — the only ones in English literature — both of which 

 are interesting and instructive. In one case ( Veterinarian, vol. xx. p. 385), the Calf 

 had been extracted by an empiric, who had ruptured the uterus of the Cow, so that it 

 had to be destroyed. The hind parts of the Calf were much contracted and diminished 

 in size ; the anus was impervious. The hind extremities were fractured in extraction, 

 but they must previously have been lying under the belly or against the sides, and the 

 ligaments of the patellcB af»peared to have become shortened, as " the femur and tibia 

 formed almost a straight line, there not being the least flexure at the stifle joints." 

 " The stifle, hock, fetlock, and pastern joints were so firmly braced together, that they 

 were completely fixed and immovable, and would not bend backwards, sideways, or for- 

 wards in the least. On examining these joints, not the slightest union of the cartilages 

 or bones had taken place ; only a shortening of the ligaments of the joints generally, 

 not permitting the usual flexure of the parts. From the cont-raction at the stifle joints, 

 the legs were almost straight, forming only a curve by the metatarsal and pastern bones 

 being drawn a little anteriorly." 



The other instance {Ibid., vol. xvi., p. 487) was in a Cow six years old, which could not 

 calve. The presentation of the foetus was posterior, and as the hind legs could not be 

 drawn into their proper position by hand, it was attempted to do this by force with 

 cords. But the limbs proved quite rigid ; one limb at last broke off below the hock, 

 then the other, and the foetus was at length extracted by powerful pulling. It was then 

 noticed that " the stifle joint lay forward, high up against the posterior ribs, and was 

 held firmly there by the great contraction of the skin over the parts." " The extensor 

 muscles underneath were very much shortened. The tibia was also bent unusually 

 backwards, as the os calcis came almost in contact with the hip joint. The muscles 

 here were in the same state of contraction and shortening as those attached to the 

 patella, etc. The part of the limb below the hock was nearly in its natural position, 

 being only a little more flexed upon the tibia than usual. The stifle and hock joints 

 were also firmly held together in their altered position, by the shortening of some and 

 lengthening of other of the ligaments of the joints ; and when the muscles were cut 

 through, the joints could not be brought to'their natural positions without rupturing 

 some of these ligaments. Both hind legs were in this state." The Cow had to be de- 

 stroyed next day, as the neck of the uterus was ruptured. 



Indications. 



The indications for delivery are the same as those which will be given 

 for extraction of the foetus in malposition of the limbs and head. 



Not unfrequently recourse must be had to embryotomy ; and the limbs 

 more particularly require attention in this operation, as by dividing the 

 muscles, tendons, or ligaments of those which are contracted, they may 

 be straightened and delivery effected. A careful examination should be 

 made of the presenting limbs in all cases in which they are found to be 

 flexed, in order to discover whether the joints are movable ; and great 

 care ought to be exercised in using traction before they are straightened 

 or removed by the knife ; as rupture of the uterus, or severe laceration 

 of the other soft parts, may be the result. 



Tumors. 



Tumors of various kinds, situated either externally or internally, may 

 prove an obstacle to birth ; though the cases recorded are very few. Some 

 of the former are kysts which, in some instances, may be looked upon as 

 due to a second undeveloped ovule which has grafted itself on the foetus. 

 Hygromata are not very uncommon, and some of these are often rup- 

 tured during birth. 



I. Binz {G eh arts half e, p. 244) describes an immense kyst in the liver, which rendered 

 parturition diflicult ; and we have already alluded to enormously enlarged kidneys pro- 

 ducing ascites. 



