Obstetric Operations 633 



plished. Preparatory to rotation it is highly advantageous to in- 

 ject into the uterus, about the fetus, a weak solution of lysol or 

 other emollient liquid, to lubricate the uterine cavity and permit 

 the body of the fetus to be more readily revolved. 



Most cases demanding rotation offer in the posterior presenta- 

 tion, and usually in the dorso-pubic position. In these, after 

 the repulsion of the fetus and lubrication of the parts, the two 

 posterior feet should be secured by means of cords, to be held by 

 assistants. The operator inserts one hand with the palm up- 

 wards and passes it over the brim of the pubis beneath the but- 

 tocks of the fetus in such a way that the buttocks rest in the 

 palm of his hand. The pubic brim serves as a fulcrum, upon 

 which the operator uses his hand and arm as a lever of the first 

 class. Lifting upwards against the buttocks of the fetus renders 

 its position less stable and tends to cause it to revolve to the right 

 or left and approach the dorso-sacral position. The instability 

 which has thus been produced may be accentuated by the opera- 

 tor exerting his force somewhat obliquely upwards to the right 

 or left, instead of pushing directly upward. This tends to rotate 

 the body of the fetus in that direction which may .seem most 

 favorable. 



The assistant in charge of the corded hind feet actively sec- 

 onds the efforts of the operator by such means as the obstetrist 

 may direct. It has been suggested by some writers that the two 

 feet may be tied together and a short lever passed between them, 

 upon which the assistant may exert a rotary force upon the fetal 

 body in that direction which the operator may direct, thus 

 rendering effective the efforts of the veterinarian. In our personal 

 experience, we have usually had the assistant grasp one or both 

 of the hind limbs, flex the feet at the fetlock until the pastern 

 of each foot is at right angles to the metatarsus, and, using the 

 pastern as a lever, exert a rotary force upon the limb and 

 through it upon the fetal body. We have found this method 

 highly efficient. 



Another very effective method, in our experience, has been 

 the application of what we may term cross-traction upon the hind 

 limbs. A cord is placed upon each limb, and each cord given 

 into the hands of separate assistants. The operator places his 

 hand beneath the croup of the fetus, over the brim of the pubis 

 of the mother, as in the preceding plan. If he wishes to rotate 



