262 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



in Belgium, by Delwart, Brogniez, Defays, Deneubourg, and 

 Thoniassen ; in France, by Scliaack, Rainard, Ziindel, St. Cyr 

 and "Violet; in England, by Cartwrigbt, Nelson, Fleming; in 

 Italy, by Cattaneo, Sacchero (Thomassen), Lanzilotti-Buon- 

 santi ; in Sweden, by Sjostedt ; in Holland, by Van Setten, 

 Numan and Wit. The school at Utrecht is under obligations 

 to the latter, that since 1851 a course in embryotomy on the 

 phantom is given. 



Definition. — By embryotomy is understood the dismember- 

 ing of young in the uterus. It is performed in those cases 

 where extraction of the whole foetus is impossible, either be- 

 cause it is too large or because the parturient passage is con- 

 stricted. 



Indications. — Embryotomy may be indicated : 



(a) In the Foetus Absolutely too Large. Here belong the 

 double-ender and some monstrosities ; of the latter, most are 

 double monstrosities. A partial or complete embryotomy may 

 be also necessary in hydrocephalus, anasarca and einplrysema 

 of the foetus. The parturient passage has a normal diameter, 

 but the foetus is too large, so that it cannot be extracted with- 

 out dismembering it. 



(b) In the Foetus Relatively too Large. The young is nor- 

 mally developed and has the ordinary dimensions. The pelvic 

 canal is too narrow, prohibiting the normal passage of the calf. 

 This indication refers to pelvic constrictions, frequently seen 

 in the juvenile pelvis or in consequence of rachitis. Exos- 

 toses and callus formation in the pelvic canal also may diminish 

 the diameter of the pelvic inlet or passage. 



(c) In abnormal presentations of the calf, where neither repo- 

 sition nor extraction in the abnormal position is possible. This 

 suggests that here embryotomy is frequently indicated while 

 in reality its number is limited. The empiric is quickly in- 

 clined to see this indication and immediately performs embry- 

 otomy. The rational obstetrician attempts reposition with all 

 the means at his disposition, usually succeeding in it. In an 

 abnormal presentation, embryotomy is only then indicated 

 when all endeavors at a reposition prove futile. 



