D YSTOKIA DEPENDING, ON ANTERIOR PRE SENT A TION 463 



operation will be described hereafter, but we may note in this place 

 that the head or the presenting limbs, or even both, may be removed. 

 Decollation is, however, a most difficult business when the head cannot 

 be reached ; if it is accessible the operation can scarcely be necessary. 

 The limbs should be removed subcutaneously, the most advanced being 

 first excised, and with the shoulder if possible. Not unfrequently removal 

 of one limb will be sufficient to allow the foetus to be adjusted — especially 

 in the Mare ; or it may permit forced extraction, without adjustment, to 

 be easily accomplished. 



With the calf, both limbs have usually to be removed. In this opera- 

 tion, the long sharp crotchet (Fig. 127) will be of service. 



The parturient animal in which this head-deviation of the foetus occurs, 

 has sometimes a very pendulous abdomen, and manipulation is greatly 

 retarded by this conformation. Placing it on its back will generally give 

 greater facilities for obstetrical operations of this kind. 



Fig. 127. 

 Long Sharp Crotchet. 



^ 



L 



Lateral deviation of the head is usually encountered when the foetus is 

 in the first, or vertebrosacral, position. It may nevertheless be met 

 with, though rarely, in the vertebro-pubic position, or in the right or left 

 vertebro-ilial position, which is still more rare. 



These positions, however, do not modify the indications for extraction 

 to any considerable extent, except that in the last, after correcting the 

 deviation of the head, rotation should be practised, and the foetus placed 

 in the verteBro -sacral position, if possible, before delivery is attempted. 

 When the head is doubled beneath the body of the foetus in these lateral 

 positions, in order to reach it, it will be found most advantageous to 

 throw the mother down on the side that will ensure the head of the. 

 young creature being uppermost. Version may be advisable in some of 

 these positions. 



This lateral deviation of the head is liable to be complicated by 

 misdirection of one or both of the fore-limbs, which may be flexed at the 

 knee, entirely retained, or crossed on the sternum. Such a complication 

 of course greatly adds to the gravity of the case, and renders it much 

 more formidable. 



Here it will be necessary to adjust the limbs before interfering with 

 the head ; though the latter, if it can be reached, and there is any benefit 

 to be derived from doing so, should be secured by either a head-collar, 

 or a cord round the neck or jaw. The feet should always be secured by 

 cords, so that if it is requisite to push them into the uterus, they may 

 readily be withdrawn again. 



Jones {Veterinarian, vol. xxx., p. 20), acting on a suggestion thrown out in the course 

 of a lecture by Professor Varnell, divided the sacro-ischiatic ligament of a Cow whose 

 foetus was in this position and could not be delivered. The calf was dead, its fore-legs 

 protruding, and the head turned back towards the flank. The ear or orbit could not be 

 reached, but with great difficulty the neck and fore-limbs were corded, and several per- 

 sons pulled at the cords ; however, from " the size and unnatural presentation of the 

 foetus, coupled with the narrowness of the pelvic outlet, " it could not be extracted. A 



