204 The Care of Animals 



is presented, the latter should be secured by a rope, 

 the fetus pushed back, and the legs secured and 

 brought forward. In case the fetus is dead, and the 

 head is badly swollen, so that it cannot be pushed 

 back, the head can be amputated after the neck is 

 firmly secured by a rope. When the fetus is presented 

 with the hind parts first, both hind legs are to be 

 secured and the delivery made in that position. When 

 both hind legs are doubled back it is called a "breech" 

 presentation; this, and a back presentation are usually 

 3'ery difficult to deliver. A fetus may be presented 

 in a score of different positions, some of them requiring 

 ingenuity and skill to handle, together with 

 careful study of conditions. 



In small animals, when the vagina is too 

 small to admit the hand, a piece of wire can 

 be doubled and the ends passed through a small 

 tube, thus forming a loop (Fig. 40). This can 

 be slipped over a leg or the head of the fetus, 

 the tube pushed up to hold it, and the fetus 

 secured. Excellent forceps are made for this 

 purpose. In case the fetus is deformed or is a 

 monstrosity, it should be dealt with as the spe- 

 '* cial case seems to warrant. 

 L^lfpfor When the head is greatly distended with 



"■Tmln^ "water on the brain" (Fig. 41), a small incision 

 animals. ^ijj.o^gi^ ^hc top of the head will allow the fluid 

 to escape, and the delivery will be easily accomplished. 



When the fetus cannot be secured in any other 

 manner, it is necessary to perform embryotomy. Special 

 knives made for this purpose are a great advantage. 



