746 Veterinary Obstetrics 



four feet and head, and consequently the operator at once comes 

 in contact with several, or all four feet and the head. Following 

 along the fetal extremities, the hand passes into a closely envel- 

 oping pouch, lined with hair. Examining more externally, the 

 operator's hand passes over the fetal mass and comes in contact 

 with the fetal viscera lying loose within the uterine cavity. 



If presenting by the reverse end, the operator should recognize 

 the viscera lying free, and the exposed, bent spinal column and 

 ribs, covered only by peritoneum. 



Usually the condition offers rather serious dystokia. In the 

 cases observed by us, fetal death, putrefaction and emphysema 

 preceded the symptoms of dystokia, so that upon our arrival the 

 fetus has been found putrid. 



Forced extraction and embryotomy offer the chief suggestions 

 in delivery. The conglomerate, irregular outline of the fetal 

 ma.ss, with projecting ribs and other bones, renders forced extrac- 

 tion too dangerous in most cases. Unless the pelvis of the cow is 

 very roomy and the fetal mass very small, embryotomy is to be 

 preferred. 



In performing embryotomy, the operator should have in mind 

 the anatomical relations of the parts, and should first of all make 

 a longitudinal incision through the skin pouch, so as to lay it 

 freely open and render the limbs available for operation. He 

 should then proceed to diminish the mass to a sufficient degree, 

 preferably first by the subcutaneous amputation of the two an- 

 terior limbs, page 645. This may be followed by the amputation 

 of one or both hind limbs or of the head, as circumstances may 

 suggest, until the remaining portion may be extracted without 

 serious difficulty or injury to the soft parts. 



3. Contractures of the Extremities. Wry-Neck. 



Various fetal articulations undergo deformation during intra- 

 uterine life, and present at birth obstacles of a more or less im. 

 portant character. The campylorrhachis, mentioned on page 

 744, may be regarded as belonging to this class. Abnormal 

 flexion of certain joints of the limbs is not rare. The indica- 

 tions, in case of dystokia due to flexures or contractures of the 

 limbs, are to overcome such obstacles by forcible extension, or, 

 if this fails, to amputate the offending part or relieve the con- 



