CLASSIFICATION OF ABNORMAL PRESENTATIONS 237 



Also during incomplete dilatation, when the owner pulls on 

 that fore leg which is in a normal position, while the other lies 

 with the carpus against the symphysis. 



Diagnosis. — Head and fore leg lie in the pelvic canal, but 

 have more advanced than in the carpal presentation. By glid- 

 ing the hand along the head and neck, the scapular spine, below 

 it the elbow joint, and the radius extending backwards, is de- 

 tected. As a rule, the claws of the retained limb can be 

 reached. 



Prognosis. — Favorable. 



Treatment. — Small calves, such as twins, can be extracted 

 in this abnormal presentation ; but the diagnosis must be posi- 

 tive before it is attempted. Large calves are not to be 

 extracted, nor is birth possible with a constricted pelvis. 



Extraction is performed by pulling on the head and the 

 fore leg in the pelvic canal at the same time. Nevertheless, it 

 is better to adjust the malposition. This is quite easily done 

 in small and living calves. The manipulations to correct the 

 faulty state are as follows : The hand grasps the shin-bone with 

 the thumb resting on the anterior face of the bone, the carpus 

 is flexed toward the symphysis ; while the carpus is pushed 

 upward the calf is repelled, the hand glides downward, seizes 

 the claws and draws the leg into the pelvic canal. 



Should this method fail, the fetlock may be corded. By 

 repelling the calf with one hand the leg is slowly carried into 

 the parturient passage. When the calves are very voluminous, 

 in double-enders, emphysematous calves, the uterus may con- 

 tract to such an extent that neither retropulsion nor reposition 

 are possible. 



Under such circumstances infusions with warm water, fol- 

 lowed by reposition, are tried. Should this also fail, we resort 

 to embryotomy, removing subcutaneously the fore leg tying in 

 the pelvic canal. After this reposition of the retained leg is 

 usually possible. When necessary, partial embryotomy can 

 be continued, removing the head, neck and even the retained 

 limb at the shoulder. 



