198 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



and enormous size of the trunk. The impression is conveyed 

 as if the whole calf is a large elastic ball. In the posterior 

 presentation, with the hind legs in the pelvic canal, the claws 

 reach only as far as the vulva. Exploration reveals the 

 rounded buttocks and the fluctuation of the bod}-. 



Treatment. — The total extraction of such a calf rarely suc- 

 ceeds ; as a rule, embryotomy must be performed. But we 

 may first attempt to reduce the size, by many long and deep 

 incisions into the cyst of the skin along the shoulders and back, 

 evacuating the amber-colored liquid contained within those 

 cysts. Should this be successful, extraction may then be 

 attempted. Since the trunk of the calf is very elastic, strong 

 traction — for instance, four men — may be exerted without 

 danger. When extraction is out of the question, the fore legs 

 are amputated and evisceration performed. Parturition, as a 

 rule, then takes place when traction is practiced on the head 

 and the two flaps of skin of the removed fore legs. Complete 

 embryotomy is performed when necessary. Adler-Rottenbuch 

 recommends to open the cysts in the skin ; next, to secure the 

 head with a thin rope and to draw it outside the vulva. The 

 head is amputated and the cord is placed around the calf 

 behind the fore legs. Now a long incision is made into the 

 abdominal cavity, and the act of parturition is brought to an 

 end by slow traction of six to eight men. 



When the "lard calf" lies in a posterior presentation, first 

 one hind leg and one half of the pelvis of the same side and 

 then the intestines are removed. In order to get rid of the 

 fluid, long, deep incisions are made along the back. By pull- 

 ing on the remaining hind legs the whole calf can be extracted. 

 It is advisable to fasten the cords in such calves as close to the 

 trunk as possible. For instance, on the fore legs the loops arc 

 placed above the carpi, and on the hind legs above the hocks. 



Ascites in the calf may be so extensive that parturition 

 cannot take place without aid. Occasionally calves with ascites 

 are aborted, but they may be hairy and carried to the end of 

 the term. Hydropsy may confine itself to the thorax and 

 abdominal cavity; anasarca may be entirely wanting. 



