MONSTROSITIES 201 



cerum. To the latter : schistosoma, fissura abdominis, or real 

 abdominal cleft, from navel backward including pubis. 



The schistosoma refiexum is a monstrosity quite frequently 

 observed in the cow (fig. 2J). Franck mentions 30 cases; 

 St. Cyr saw 11 out of 40 monstrosities ; Rieck, 40 out of 107 

 monstrosities. The teratological museum of the veterinary 

 school at Utrecht has 13 skeletons, also some parts of calves 

 curved backward. Franck compares the latter monstrosity 

 very properly with an acrobat whose body is bent forward 

 until the hands touch the ground, so that the superior and 

 inferior limbs come together. 



Fig. 20.— The "otter calf." 



The spinal column has a double S-curve, so that the pos- 

 tero external angle of the ischicum lies in the region of the 

 fifth cervical vertebra. The ribs, usually bent upwards, are 

 crowded and frequently grown together, forming, so to speak, 

 a plate in which the few fissures point to former ribs. The 

 intestines are exposed. 



Symptoms at Parturition. — In many cases the attendant 

 first notices the protrusion of intestines at a time when the 

 legs euter the parturient passage. Sometimes pretty strong 

 pains are present and the intestines of the calf do not enter the 

 vulva. On exploration, a broad mass surrounded by intestines 



