DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 387 



employed. If the shortening is too great to allow of the ex- 

 tension of the limbs in this way the tense tendons may be 

 cut across behind the shank-bone and in front of the elbow, 

 and the limb will be easily straightened out. This is most 

 easily done with an embryotomy knife furnished with a ring 

 for the middle finger, so that the blade may be protected in 

 the palm of the band. (See Plate XIV, Fig. 4.) 



ONE FORE LIMB CROSSED OVER THE BACK OF THE NECK. 



With the long fore limbs of the foal this readily occurs 

 and the resulting increase in thickness, both at the head and 

 shoulder, offers a serious obstacle to progress. (See Plate X, 

 Fig. 2.) The hand introduced into the passage detects the 

 head and one fore foot, and further back on the same side of 

 the head the second foot, from which the limb may be traced 

 obliquely across the back of the neck. 



If parturition continues to make progress the displaced 

 foot may bruise and lacerate the vagina. By seizing the 

 limb above the fetlock it may be easily pushed over the head 

 to the proper side, when parturition will proceed normally. 



FORE LIMB BENT AT THE KNEE. 



The nose and one fore foot present, and on examination 

 the knee of the missing fore limb is found farther back. 

 (Plate X, Fig. 1.) First place a noose each on the presenting 

 pastern and lower jaw, and push back the body of the foetus 

 with a repeller, while the operator seizing the shank of the 

 bent limb extends it so as to press back the knee and bring 

 forward the fetlock and foot. As progress is made little by 

 little the hand is slid down from the region of the knee to 

 the fetlock, and finally that is secured and brought up into 

 the passage, when parturition will proceed without hind- 

 rance. If both fore limbs are bent back the head must be 

 noosed and the limbs brought up as above, one after the 

 other. It is usually best to employ the left hand for the 

 right fore limb and the right hand for the left fore limb. 



FORE LIMB TURNED BACK FROM THE SHOULDER. 



In this case, on exploration by the side of the head and 

 presenting limb, the shoulder only can be reached at first. 



