258 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



The right hand guides the assistant in which direction he 

 must pull. When the anterior extremities of the body cannot 

 be repelled, one or both fore legs are removed subcutaneousl j. 



Transverse abdominal presentation, the legs not in the pelvic carud. 



In this position one usually deals with small calves. The 

 cervix is almost invariably incompletely dilated. The fore 

 legs are flexed at the carpi, the hind legs extended under the 

 body. The treatment attempts to bring the hind legs into the 

 pelvic canal. But there are transverse abdominal positions 

 where two or three legs lie in the pelvic canal. These are 

 recognized and treated according to the rules previously given. 

 It happens that the fore legs lie in the vagina and the head in 

 the pelvic inlet while the claws of the hind legs rest upon the 

 symphysis. This abnormal presentation, designated by Harms 

 " dog-sitting position," is rarely observed in the cow. 



When the owner pulls on the fore legs until the head ap- 

 pears between the labia? and the shin-bones of the fore legs 

 project at the vulva, repulsion becomes impossible or very 

 difficult. 



In the first case the foetus is divided and rotated by means 

 of the hind legs. 



In the earlier stages of parturition, when repulsion of the 

 calf is possible, the hind legs are pushed away from the pubis 

 and the anterior extremity of the body is brought into the 

 pelvic canal. 



It is always advisable to make an exact diagnosis of this 

 abnormal presentation and to search for the claws or hind legs 

 along the floor of the vagina, as this presentation may be con- 

 founded with retarded birth depending on ascites. 



Abnormal presentations of fivins. 



In malposition of twins, parts of one calf may enter into 

 the parturient passage together with parts of the other calf, 

 thus interfering witli parturition. 



This may give rise to various conditions. Thus the head 

 of one calf with the fore limbs of the other calf, or one of it* 



