CLASSIFICATION OF ABNORMAL PRESENTATIONS 245 



maxilla. The calf is then repelled by resting the hand against 

 the sternum while moderate traction is exerted upon the rope, 

 thus bringing the head into the parturient passage. 



These manipulations are usually successful, so that a hook 

 may be dispensed with. But when the owner or some other 

 empiric has severed the body of the lower jaw, or when the 

 head is turned to one side, that only the eye but not the mouth 

 is accessible, a hook will have to be inserted into the orbital 

 cavity. 



It is often stated that, especially in malpositions of the 

 head, greater force can be exerted with a hook than with a loop 

 around the inferior maxilla. While this statement is correct 

 in itself, we must remember that strong traction is neither 

 necessary nor desirable. Many a one has drawn a head into 

 the pelvic canal by means of two men, which could have been 

 brought there without one-fourth the expenditure of force, pro- 

 vided sufficient room for reposition had been present ; this 

 favorable condition could have been obtained by repelling the 

 calf and replacing the fcetal waters by warm water to overcome 

 the aspiration force of the uterus. 



(d) ABNORMAL POSITIONS OF THE HEAD AND FORE LEGS. 



The varieties of these complicated positions of the ante- 

 rior extremity of the body are numerous. The general rule is : 

 anything within reach of the hand is corded ; the fore legs at 

 the coronet or above the fetlock, the head around the lower 

 jaw. It is mostly easier to fix first the head by placing a loop 

 around the inferior maxilla, and next to adjust the legs. As 

 soon as the latter are corded the head is guided along the fore 

 legs into the pelvic canal. 



(e) THE POSTERIOR EXTREMITY OF THE BODY IN THE PARTURIENT 

 PASSAGE AND ABNORMAL POSITION OF ONE HIND LEG. 



"When the calf presents itself in the abdominal position, 

 with both hind legs in the pelvic canal, parturition may take 

 place without assistance, as it is a normal presentation. 



