DROPSY OF THE FXETUS 199 



Diagnosis. — When a calf with ascites is born in the ante- 

 rior presentation, parturition is interrupted as soon as the 

 anterior half of the body has been born ; the distended abdomi- 

 nal wall lies in front of the pelvic inlet. The attendant, who 

 already pulled on the thin fore legs and small head, is aston- 

 ished that he cannot extract the calf, and thinks of an abnormal 

 development of the posterior portion of the bod}*. Manual 

 examination detects the exceedingly soft distention and fluctu- 

 ation behind the last ribs of the calf. 



In the posterior presentation, with the hind legs in the 

 pelvic canal, the posterior limbs do not pass any further 

 beyond the vulva than half the length of the metatarsal bones. 

 In this position exploration and diagnosis are much easier. 



Course. — "When the owner pulls very hard, after the ante- 

 rior extremities of the body are born, it may happen that 

 suddenly a loud report manifests itself, terrifying those en- 

 gaged in traction, followed by easy extraction of the calf. 

 Those present wonder at the amount of force required to 

 extract such a small calf. Soon after the calf is born a great 

 deal of fluid is discharged from the uterus. The cause of this 

 phenomenon, as well as the course of parturition, is easily ex- 

 plained. The extraordinary tension resulting from traction 

 ruptured the abdominal wall. In bull calves with ascites the 

 abdominal liquid may be pressed into the scrotum, distending 

 the latter to an extent that interferes with birth. Severe trac- 

 tion may rupture the scrotum, and the liquid is evacuated. 



In most cases the attendant's resources are exhausted and 

 he sends for the veterinarian. 



Treatment. — In those cases where one half of the calf is 

 born, one fore leg and five to six ribs of the same side are 

 removed. After removal of the thoracic viscera the diaphragm 

 is punctured by hand and the fluid in the abdominal cavity is 

 allowed to flow off. When necessary, the contents of the ab- 

 dominal cavity are removed, and parturition is finished by 

 simple extraction. 



A. Horner suggests to pass the probang when the anterior 

 half of the calf is born, to remove the water of the abdominal 



