THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 165 



and then served the other the same ; afterwards we used gradual 

 traction to the feet until the os uteri was fully dilated, and in 

 the course of an hour, we removed a live calf, which, together 

 with the cow, did well. I fear such cases as these may in- 

 duce persons to divide the os uteri, thinking it in a scirrhous 

 state. 



" In a fortnight after, this person had an exactly similiar 

 case ; but from using gross force, they burst open the pelvis 

 somewhere, and the consequence was, the cow was obliged to 

 be destroyed." 



BREECH PRESENTATION. 



A presentation of this kind is generally attended with 

 difficulty and danger, the difficulties depend however, some- 

 what on the length of time which has elapsed since the com- 

 mencment of the labor; if it be recent, there is some hope for both 

 mother and calf, but in a protracted case there is little hope 

 for the mother, and one reason is, the vagina or uterus is often 

 injured or ruptured by the struggles of the foetus in trying to 

 free itself from its uncomfortable position. Then again, the 

 uterus has contracted upon the foetus so as almost to imprison 

 it, at least forcing and impacting it within the cavity of the 

 pelvis, so that the little animal is almost immovable. Let 

 a person unacquainted with bovine midwifery introduce his 

 hand and arm in a case of this character, and he will be 

 astonished at the amount of force it will require to thread his 

 hand between the foetus and pelvis, and after accomplishing his 

 object, the hand and arm become so benumbed, by the pressure, 

 that he cannot accomplish much if any thing until he can suc- 

 ceed in forcing the foetus forward ; which in some cases, when 

 uterine action is strong, cannot be effected without elevating 

 tlie posterior parts of the cow by means ♦f a hoisting tackle. 

 It requires a person with a long arm to be of much service in 

 a case of this kind, for the limbs are extended a long distance 

 into the abdomen. A breach presentation is very readily 

 detected by the presence of the calf's tail which occasionally 

 hangs out of the vagina. 



