THL DISEASES OF CATTLE. 163 



and spinal marrow ; a person not expert in these matters will 

 probably succeed better in detaching the head at this point 

 than at the base of the cranium. Before the neck is returned, 

 the embryotomy hooks should be inserted into it, and the blades 

 secured by tying the cord which passes through them. Hav- 

 ing pushed back the neck, I run my hand along one limb at 

 a time, and find the hoofs, these are brought forward and 

 noosed ; traction now being made on the three cords, the de- 

 livery is secured. 



Supposing the calf to be alive, I proceed as follows : A 

 noose is affixed to the lower jaw, the head is then pushed back 

 as far as it can be got ; the fore legs are then to be brought into 

 position as above described, after which, the calf is readily 

 brought away ; some difficulty may be experienced in extract- 

 ing the hind parts ; if they require much force in extraction, 

 the probabilities are that the pelvis of the foetus is impacted 

 in that of the cow ; the long diameter of the pelvis is cross- 

 wise of the body, so that if the calf be in a position that op- 

 poses its long pelvic diameter to the short one of the mother, 

 it must be pushed back a few inches, and turned, so that its 

 feet shall be downwards, in a line with the cow's limbs. 



It is very important that the calf should be in the right po- 

 sition as regards the diameter of the pelvis, for many valuable 

 cows are ruined by the violent means used in the extraction of 

 the hind parts when in a faulty position ; a little tact in secur- 

 ing a right position for the exit of the calf, would save a vast 

 amount of unnecessary and cruel traction, which in our rural 

 districts, where veterinary surgeons are not to be found, is too 

 often employed. 



EXTRACTION OF A CALF ON ITS BACK, HIND LEGS 

 PRESENTING. 



Some persons have an idea that when a wrong presentation 

 of this kind takes place, the calf may be turned ; this is an 

 impossibility, and it is only a waste of time, and a feat of igno- 

 rance to even attempt it. The calf must be extracted in the 

 manner of presentation ; the traction, however, should be made 



