276 



BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



fetlock to an extent of 8 to 10 cm. The skin is separated with 

 the small spatula from the deeper parts above the hock. 

 Here attention must also be paid to avoid getting between the 

 flexor tendons and to remain just underneath the skin. Sep- 

 aration is a little more difficult along 

 the posterior bones and tendo Achilles, 

 but succeeds with some patience. 



Now the large spatula is passed 

 into the external wound to separate the 

 skin a little beyond the patella or over 

 the muscles of the croup as far as 

 the sacrum, behind up to the posterior 

 gluteal muscles. In the same way on 

 the inside, in front up to the patella, 

 behind a little beyond the semi-tendin- 

 osus muscle. While the right hand 

 manipulates the instrument the left one 

 follows its movements on the skin. 



When the skin is separated all over, 

 detected by the easy movements of the 

 spatula below the skin, the skin incision 

 on the inside is prolonged, splitting the 

 skin as far as the patella. This is done 

 with the skin knife in the same manner 

 as in the fore leg. The largest projec- 

 tion is inserted into the skin ; the left 

 hand covers the knife and follows it, 

 while the right hand pushes it forward. 

 Next the hand is passed under the 

 skin to tear loose any connections not 

 separated by the spatula. Should it be 

 difficult here and there, the sharp probe- 

 pointed hook is employed for that purpose. After the whole 

 leg lies loosely in the skin, the sliding bistoury or finger knife 

 is passed under the skin as far as tli«> muscles of th<> croup, 

 cutting them from before to behind as far as the joint. The 

 incision through the muscles ought to be made as long and 



Fig. 64. 



