594 Veien'fiary Obstetrics 



such is the proper action to take. We are not justified, for ex- 

 ample, in applj'ing great traction to a fetus presenting posteriorly 

 with the two hind feet completely retained, when by intra-fetal 

 embrytomy, with removal of the two hind limbs, we may so re- 

 duce the size of the fetus, in the course of an hour, as to permit 

 of its easy extraction by the traction of say two persons. 



On the other hand, we recall an instance in our personal expe- 

 rience where a foal was in the breech presentation with both hind 

 limbs completely retained, and, as it had been dead for some 

 time, the waters had all escaped. The fetus was enormously 

 enlarged because of emphysema as a result of decomposition. 

 We removed the two hind limbs, the pelvis and all the fetal 

 viscera, and then attached a cord to the posterior end of the 

 .spinal column and applied traction. The fetus was in the dorso- 

 sacral position and there was no impediment to its extraction 

 except the great emphysema. 



We might have further reduced the size of the fetal body 

 by removing the ribs and then withdrawing one of the shoulders, 

 and with it the fore-leg. We might have repeated the process 

 upon the other fore-leg, and perhaps this would have been 

 the more surgical and approved method, but, before we realized 

 the seriousness of the obstacle to extraction, we had wedged 

 the fetus quite tightly in the birth canal .so that further opera- 

 tion was rendered exceedingly difficult. Rather than go through 

 the tedious work es.sential for the desired reduction in .size, we 

 applied force which we estimated at more than looo pounds, by 

 means of a lever, and drew the fetus awa)-. However cruel 

 some operators might con.sider the operation, the animal did well. 



We doubt very much indeed if she could have done any bet- 

 ter, or even if she would have suffered less had we further re- 

 duced the size of the fetus by a verj' tedious and difficult 

 operation. 



Other .similar experiences might be cited, but what we wish to 

 in.sist upon most strongly is that, if such great force is to be ap- 

 plied for the extraction of a fetus, it .should first be brought into 

 a natural po.sition .so that in its pa.s.sage all the .soft tissues will 

 be prcs.sed upon alike and that consequently the danger of pre- 

 dominant pressure upon one area is reduced to a minimum. 



In the application of powerful traction, the operator should 

 take particular care to properly command the direction and 



