206 



BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



to eight persons the second calf followed, grown to the hind- 

 part of the first one (fig. 25). The calves, fully developed, 

 possessed a common umbilicus and were 1} 2 m. long. The 

 umbilicus is visible in the drawing between the hind legs. 

 Gurlt designates this monstrosity as pigodklymus aversus. 



Vaerst truly says: "For the 

 obstetrician such a monstrosity 

 is a hard nut to crack." When 

 the first calf protrudes from the 

 vulva as far as its hind extrem- 

 ities, nothing can be done but 

 to pull until the second calf 

 also is extracted. Should it be 

 possible to detect this abnor- 

 mity within the uterus, division 

 in some way or other may pos- 

 sibly be accomplished. 



The thoracopagus (fig. 26) is 

 a monstrosity consisting of two 

 foetuses grown together at the 

 xyphoid cartilage of the sternum 

 and its neighborhood (xypho- 

 pagus), or having a common 

 thoracic cavity (stemopagus). 



It is often very difficult to 

 diagnose it. In the beginning 

 one always thinks to be dealing 

 with twins. A close examina- 

 tion only can ensure a diag- 

 nosis. Any parts which have 

 already entered the pelvic canal should be repelled in order to 

 assure a thorough examination and allow us to make plans for 

 extraction, respectively embryotomy. 



Treatment. — Total extraction can only be attempted in 

 small foetuses, or when parturition takes place in the seventh 

 or eighth month ; while embryotomy must be resorted to in 

 voluminous monstrosities. No special directions can be given. 



Fig. 26. — Thoracopagus. 



