Death of the Fetus 735 



cause the gases tend to become gradually forced out when pressure 

 is applied to the cadaver, so that those parts which are under 

 greatest pressure become slowly but markedly decreased in size, 

 because of the shifting or escape of the emphysema, and thus favor 

 extraction. 



2. Embryotomy, page 641, should always be preferred to 

 forced extraction if the latter involves any serious degree of force. 

 Embryotomy is easier than in an undecomposed fetus, because the 

 tissues are so soft and friable that they are very readily separated. 

 In the performance of embryotomy it should be remembered that 

 extensive punctures and incisions of the skin will allow the escape 

 of large volumes of gas, by which the size may be reduced. A 

 much greater reduction in size can be had by evisceration, p. 658, 

 because not only do the viscera and the body cavity contain large 

 quantities of gas, but also those gases which are in the tissues 

 elsewhere may largely escape from the open body cavity, thus 

 greatly reducing the volume. 



Fleming cites Bosetto as having had a unique experience in 

 one of these cases of emphj-sema, in which, upon withdrawing 

 his hand after some manipulation, there was a rush of gas from 

 the vulva of the cow, which was inflammable and, becoming ig- 

 nited owing to the presence of a candle, caused a considerable 

 flame, which burned for some time, but which produced no ill 

 consequences. 



3. Caesarian Section, page 663, is usually indicated in the 

 sow, bitch and cat ; almost never, if ever, in the cow and mare. 

 In many of these cases, in the sow, bitch and cat, the handling 

 becomes safer if the more radical operation of hysterectomy, page 

 669, is substituted. The prognosis is unfavorable. 



