3i6 



presentation is rendered more difficult through having the hind-feet in 

 the passage. But, if seen early, or before any interference has taken 

 place (as shown in Plate XLV., fig. 14), the case may readily be 

 adjusted and delivery accomplished in a very short time by attaching 

 strong cords to the pasterns of the hind limbs, and while the cords are 

 pulled alternately by assistants, the operator presses the fore-feet back 

 into the womb. The hind-quarters thus come into the passage, and, 

 by careful and steady traction, delivery is soon over. When the 

 fore-legs are jammed in the passage (as in Plate XLVL, fig. 15) then, 

 for the safety of the mother, press the hind-feet back over the brim of 

 pelvis, remove the fore-legs (as described under Plate XLIL, figs. 4 

 and 5 and Plate XLIII., fig. 6), and bring the hind-feet forward (by 

 the cords attached prior to their being repelled) ; the operator then 

 presses the breast of the foetus back into the uterus, while assistants 

 pull it away, hind-legs first. 



775. Plate XLVI., fig. 16, represents a case with the back of the 

 head and neck presented, the fore-legs bent back and the pastern joints 

 doubled round the thighs, while the hind pasterns are pressed against 

 the brim of the pelvis of the mother. The fcetus is as rigid as if all 

 the joints were anchylosed. In a case which occurred in the practice 

 of the late Mr. Fisher, M.R.C.V.S., Whitehaven, and after many 

 attempts had been made to straighten the head (resulting in failure) it 

 was at last cut off, and a strong cord was fixed round the neck, close 

 down to the breast — yet the body of the foal could not be stirred ; 

 then the upper shoulder was with great difficulty next cut off, and 

 a cord being passed round the humerus, with strong pulling the leg 

 came away. The sternum (breast- bone) was then detached on each 

 side with the knife, and extracted ; the first four ribs were removed by 

 passing the knife between the ribs up to the backbone, and twisting 

 them off; the contents of the chest and belly were torn out, and the 

 remaining fore leg and the two hind-feet were pressed towards the 

 spine of the eviscerated feetus, while assistants pulled on the neck- 

 cord, and extraction followed. The operation lasted four hours, and 

 the mare afterwards did well. 



