5o6 



OBSTETRIC OPERATIONS. 



We have also mentioned that the interdental space, or " neck " of the 

 lower jaw, is the most convenient for the attachment of the cord ; but 

 nevertheless it will be found in practice that this does not afford nearly 

 so firm a hold as the limbs, and that if the noose does not slip off the 

 jaw, which is often the case, should the traction be at all energetic, the 

 bones will probably be smashed, the foetus, if alive, irreparably damaged, 

 and an important accessory means to extraction lost. Should the head 

 be turned back towards the side, cording the neck does not reduce the 

 deviation, but only allows this to be brought, in a doubled condition, into 

 the genital canal. 



It is therefore most important that means be at hand to secure the 

 head firmly and solidly, either with a view to correct deviation when this 

 part is in malposition, or to exercise traction upon it when it is adjusted, 

 but the foetus remains immovable by pulling at the fore-limbs. 



Fig. isi. 

 BiNz's Simple Head-collar. 



Rueff's Head-collar. 

 No. I. 



Rueff's Head-collar. 

 No. 2. 



We have suggested that the noose of the cord, sufficiently widened, 

 instead of being placed on the lower jaw, should be first passed into the 

 mouth of the foetus, then carried up over the head and behind the ears — 

 the loop of the noose remaining, of course, tightly drawn in the mouth, 

 as this must be the direction from w^hich the traction is exercised ; if 

 pulled at from behind the ears, the noose would be drawn off. In plac- 

 ing the noose in this position, the straight porte-cord — and especially 

 Mr. Cartwright's pattern — will be found very useful. 



Instead of this simple noose, which can readily be made when needed, 

 various kinds of head-stall have been proposed by veterinary obstetrists 

 from time to time, and some of these possess certain advantages. Giin- 

 ther, many years ago, pointed out the advantages of a head-band like 

 that represented in Fig. 145, the upper part of which was passed behind 

 the ears, while the lower part with the running knot lay between the 



