590 Veterinary Obstetrics 



from which the animal usually dies as a result of shock, hemor- 

 rhage, or infection. 



In other cases, when a portion of the fetus is deviated, the 

 walls of the uterus, which are closeh' investing the fetal bod}', 

 may be caught during severe traction and dragged along until a 

 small rupture is caused, or the uterine walls so seriously crushed 

 and maimed that they later become necrotic and a secondary per- 

 foration of the uterus occurs. When the fetus is further ad- 

 vanced in the pelvic canal and approaches the outlet, any great 

 deviation o the presenting parts of the fetus may cause a very 

 .serious rupture of the perineum. Therefore, the application 

 of great force to a fetus in an improper position is con- 

 stantly to be condemned. 



In the selection of as.sistants, when there is a sufficient num- 

 ber present to permit of selection, one should take by preference 

 tho.se persons who are somewhat experienced in the handling of 

 animals and who are strong and of equable temperament. One 

 needs to have these men thoroughly at his command and to know 

 that they will obey his orders promptly and without question. It 

 has been a common experience of the writer, when he has asked 

 that two or three men shall take hold of a rope to exert traction, 

 that upon turning his head he finds that the number has doubled 

 or trebled. This must be constantly watched in ca.se of a crowd 

 of bystanders. 



When traction is being applied the operator should take his 

 place immediately behind the patient, constantly watch and 

 examine the progress of the fetus, command the direction and 

 amount of force to be applied at this or that time, and determine 

 when the traction should cease. Various conditions may arise de- 

 manding that the traction shall be more to the right or the left, 

 upward or downward, or otherwi.se modified. 



When there seems to be any great impediment which appar- 

 ently bars the progress of the fetus at a given point, the traction 

 should cease and the operator should determine the nature of the 

 obstacle to its progress and devise the necessary means for over- 

 coming it. The operator should not join in the traction unless 

 circumstances should arise making it necessary, but should de- 

 vote his attention to the direction of the force to be applied by 

 others. 



