Position and Control of Patient 615 



Position and Control of the Patient. 



One of the most disagreeable features to the veterinarian is the 

 surroundings in which he finds his patient and is compelled to do 

 his work. In many cases this is inimical to his comfort and 

 health, and it is sometimes a question how far it is proper for 

 him to ignore these factors in the course of his professional du- 

 ties. It is clearly the duty of the owners of animals to provide a 

 comfortable and proper place in which the veterinary obstetrist 

 may work, and it is clearly not the duty or function of the veteri- 

 narian to ignore comfort beyond a reasonable degree. 



Sometimes a stable is exceedingly cold, but this, as a rule, does 

 not seriously discomfort the veterinarj- obstetrist, since once he 

 is engaged in his work he can usually keep warm, and it is less 

 difficult and disagreeable for him than for the bystanders, but 

 even this discomfort should not be carried too far. The veteri- 

 narian is entitled to demand a reasonably comfortable place for 

 his work. 



Sometimes the place for his work is disagreeably hot, and we 

 have suffered at times from working upon a recumbent animal in 

 the bright sunlight, our arms having been badly blistered by the 

 sun's rays. Clearly it is the duty of the owner of an animal in 

 such a position either to provide some means for transporting it 

 elsewhere or a shade for the protection of the operator during 

 the work. 



In many cases we find the animal affected with dystokia con- 

 fined in an exceediligly filthy place, where we cannot touch any- 

 thing without becoming begrimed with dirt. The veterinarian 

 should demand that such a place be cleaned up, and that appro- 

 priate tables or other conveniences be supplied upon which his 

 instruments and apparatus can be placed, where they can be 

 handled without getting them befouled. In other instances, the 

 stall or stanchion is wet and filth}^ from feces and urine. The 

 practitioner should demand that the filth be removed and an 

 abundance of clean, dry straw or hay supplied to cover over the 

 floor of the stall and surrounding parts where the work must be 

 done. 



Sometimes the room is inadequate, so that one cannot operate. 

 The room may even be unsafe, as when an upright post stands 

 in close proximity to the rear end of the patient, so that in case 



