218 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



justified when the parturient passages are normal and the foetus 

 absolutely too large. 



In most cases the owner prefers to slaughter the animal, 

 especially when other manipulations have been practiced. 

 The chance for a successful issue is still more limited when 

 hysterotomia vaginalis or laparotomy have been performed, 

 and in the latter manual detorsion of the uterus has been 

 attempted. 



Nevertheless, the Csesarean section can be executed, aud 

 when artfully performed may be crowned with success, should 

 the owner be anxious to save a valuable animal. This is 

 proven by numerous communications in veterinary literature. 



Procedure. — The standing posture of the animal is best 

 adapted for the operation. In many cases this is impossible, 

 and we must operate the cow in the recumbent position. She 

 is placed upon the left side and the posterior extremities are 

 raised. 



Before operating, the fore and hind legs are tied sep- 

 arately and poles are driven into the ground, one in front of 

 the hock joint, the other behind the carpus, protecting the 

 surgeon and enabling him to operate on the abdominal wall. 

 Four assistants, one to the head, one at the tail, and two at the 

 back, hold the cow in place. 



The hair is shaved over an area much greater than the in- 

 cision, the skin is scrubbed with soap and warm water, and 

 finally with a 2 per cent, carbolic acid solution. iEther or 

 chloroform may be given should a sufficient number of assist- 

 ants be present. The field of operation lies in the right lower 

 abdominal region; in other words, where the calf can be plainly 

 felt. The higher the operation is performed the less the 

 danger of a future eventration, but it is much more difficult to 

 withdraw the uterus and its contents. 



"We only operate in the linea alba when the parent is to be 

 slaughtered and the calf only is to be saved. Should we wish 

 to keep the mother alive, this operation is not justifiable, for 

 various reasons. The incision through the udder, the pressure 

 of the intestines upon the stitches in the abdominal walls, the 



