102 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OP 



out danger to the mother, and certain destruction to the calf. 

 The best plan is to attach a cord, or the slip-nooses, to each 

 fore leg, ^vhich are then to be forced back into the uterus ; the 

 head must then be sought for and constant pressure exerted on 

 the same until it is sent forward far enough to enable the op- 

 erator to release it from the brim of the pelvis, and guide it 

 into the vaginal outlet ; a noose may then be slipped over the 

 lower jaw, then traction on it, and those of the fore legs will 

 accomplish the delivery. 



If the calf is dead I should use the embryotomy hook in 

 preference to the noose, but in view of saving the calf the lat- 

 ter is the safest ; some care, however, is necessary in drawing 

 out the fore feet, lest the points of the hoofs lacerate the vagina. 



While the assistants are drawing steadily on the cords, the 

 operator should give them a lateral action, from side to side, 

 and upwards and downwards ; this is far better than pulling 

 persistently in one direction, for it tends to loosen and alter the 

 position of impacted parts. 



ONE FORE LEG PRESENTING. 



This is also a common occurrence, and if seen early, the 

 delivery may be safely effected by attaching the noose to the 

 protruded leg, this is to be pushed back, the other sought for 

 and secured in the sanae manner, and again to be returned ; 

 the head must then be properly placed, the legs drawn out- 

 wards, and the delivery may be accomplished with every pros- 

 pect of bringing forth a live calf. 



HEAD PRESENTING WITHOUT THE LEGS. 



Tn a case of this character, it is evident that the legs are 

 doubled up within the vagina and uterus ; and unless attended 

 to early, the calf will be dead ; therefore, in order to save time 

 and trouble, I should decapitate the calf, which is done as fol- 

 lows : Make a circular incision around the neck through the 

 integuments, then cut down in a region between the first and 

 second cervical vertabrae and sever the capsular ligaments 



