MECHANICAL EXTRACTION OF THE FCETUS. 509 



dex-finger, the fixed side between the ring and little finger (Fig. 156). 

 The apparatus is at first held by the index and middle-fingers against the 

 other fingers, as well as by the thumb, which keeps both cords in the 

 palm of the hand ; and, finally, by the left hand, which, drawing lightly 

 on the three cords, keeps them sufficiently tight. The runner should be 

 at the wrist, the button of the nose-loop towards the hand. 



The apparatus being so disposed, the hand is introduced sideways 

 (little finger downwards) into the vagina, until it arrives at the head of the 

 fcetus j then the nose of the latter is passed into the head-stall loop, which 

 is pushed forward by one side of the face — say the right — towards the 

 neck and over the ear ; the other half being now carried on the opposite 

 side towards the left ear, and then the runner is seized below the jaw. 

 In this way the hand has passed round the length of the head-stall from 

 its fixed to its movable part — the latter readily allowing the loop to en- 

 large and pass over the salient portions of the head, the loop being nev- 

 ertheless kept sufficiently tense by the right hand pushing the runner up 



Fig. 157- 

 Schaack's Halter Placed on a Calf's Head, the Right Fore-pastern being also Corded. 



towards the throat ; while the left hand, pulling at the movable cord (rec- 

 ognized by the knot at its end — tightens it as much as may be necessary. 

 The nose-loop is placed by introducing the index-finger of the right hand 

 under the button, and drawing the loop through the runner to a sufficient 

 length, the left hand keeping the other two cords tight ; the end of the 

 nose is passed into the loop, which is lifted as high as need be. This 

 done, the right hand is withdrawn from the uterus and vagina, along, 

 while keeping tight, the three cords. These are tied together in a knot 

 outside the vulva, and the head is thus securely and solidly fixed. 



Saint-Cyr and others highly recommend this apparatus of Schaack's, 

 which in its modified form differs but little from that described by Binz 

 some years previously. Saint-Cyr remarks that its extreme simplicity, 

 its trifling cost, the facility with which it can be placed after a little prac- 

 tice, its solidity, \vhich enables it to withstand any amount of traction, 

 and its absolute innocuousness — all combine to render it one of the best 

 and most precious instruments required in veterinary obstetricy. In the 

 first place, when it is properly applied, it cannot slip, and all the amount 

 of force necessary under the circumstances may be employed without 

 fear; next, being formed of small and flexible cords, which are well oiled 

 before use, it cannot injure the maternal organs in any way ; thirdly, 



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