466 FCETAL DYSTOKIA. 



which was dead — being reversed on the back. Much time and patience were required 

 to adjust the misplacement and extract the calf. The Cow did well. 



3. Grad {Briefliche Mittheilung, Franck, Op. cit.,-^. 384) met a case of this kind for the 

 first time. It occurred in a Mare ; the head and neck of the foal were thrown on the 

 back, and only the sternum presented at the inlet. Three shepherds had been endeavor- 

 ing to pull away the young creature, which was dead. The fore-limbs were in the vagina, 

 and as it was decided not to exhaust the Mare by adjusting the head and neck, these 

 legs were removed subcutaneously; then the head was sought for. The hand, pushed 

 as far into the uterus as possible, encountered first the cervical vertebrae, then the right 

 ear was at last reached and secured. 



It was now discovered that the head lay a little to the right side of the croup, the 

 lower jaw being downwards. The task of reduction was a most difficult one, the arm 

 being too short ; but at length the head was brought as low as the shoulder. The neck 

 was not contracted, and a hook being inserted into the orbit, the head was carried into 

 the pelvis, and delivery was then soon completed. 



4. Saint-Cy (Op. cit., p. 472) reports the case of a Bitch which was forwarded to the 

 clinic of the Lyons Veterinary School, having brought forth several puppies the previous 

 evening, and continuing to strain. An exploration discovered a foetus firmly engaged in 

 the pelvic canal ; two limbs could be distinctly felt, and beyond them a rounded surface 

 which was at first supposed to be the croup ; the case was therefore suspected to be a 

 breech presentation. The two limbs were seized and drawn outside the vulva," when 

 they were recognized as fore-legs. The head could not be discovered; so traction was 

 continued, though with every precaution, and at last the foetus was brought away. It 

 was dead, and the head was bent back on the loins, in which it had made a considerable 

 depression (Fig. 129). The Bitch did not suffer much, and soon was quite well. 



SECTION III. DYSTOKIA DUE TO MISDIRECTION OF THE HIND-LIMBS IN 



THE ANTERIOR PRESENTATION. 



Sometimes in the anterior presentation, when the head and fore-limbs 

 are normal and in a good position, an obstacle to birth is met with in a 

 wrong direction of the posterior parts of ^ the young creature's body, and 

 especially the limbs. 



The anterior parts may be engaged in the pelvis, and yet can advance 

 no farther, owing to the hind-legs advancing at the same time with them 

 into the canal, or, being widely abducted, the stifles come against the 

 brim of the inlet on each side and prevent further progress. 



This cause of dystokia we will now consider, commencing with the 

 latter deviation. 



Extreme Abduction of the Hind-limbs. 



In this deviation birth appears to be proceeding favorably, the fore- 

 limbs, head, and body being normal and in the natural position, and well 

 through the genital canal — these parts being even more or less outside 

 the vulva, when, just as parturition is supposed to be completed, a check 

 occurs ; and the redoubled strainings of the mother, and even powerful 

 traction on the foetus, are unavailing in bringing it beyond a certain 

 point. 



This cause of dystokia appears to be noticed only in the foal, the long 

 limbs of which undoubtedly favor the occurrence of the deviation. 



It may be discovered by passing the hand between the foetus and the 

 genital passage — between the fore-limbs and underneath the belly of the 

 young creature ; when it reaches the pelvic inlet, the thighs of the foetus 

 are found to be widely separated — the stifles turned outwards, so that the 

 outer aspect of the thighs is nearly horizontal on the floor of the uterus, 

 and these joints are pressing against the ascending branches of the ilium 

 or the anterior margin of the pubis. 



