756 Veterinary Obstetrics 



2. The Fore-limbs Crossed Over the Neck. 



It is very rare that an anterior limb of the fetus becomes 

 crossed over its head while passing through the birth canal in 

 other animals than the mare, and even here it is not v^xy com- 

 mon. Such displacement in the foal offers a considerable ob- 

 stacle to parturition, partly owing to the obstruction of the car- 

 pus lying on top the fetal poll or neck, largely because it induces 

 the same position of the shoulder and elbow as we have already 

 described in the previous section. By this displacement the di- 

 ameter of the chest is greatly increased and the olecranon, instead 

 of being in a horizontal position, projects downward almost per- 

 pendicularly, and thus constitutes a very serious obstacle to the 

 advancement of the fetus along the birth canal. 



There is the further very important danger that, when a foot 

 is so misdirected, it is liable to become engaged in the roof of 

 vagina and, perforating it, cause a rupture of the rectum or of 

 the perineum. 



The false position of the deviated foot or feet is readily recog- 

 nized upon examination. 



Handling. It is not difficult ordinarily to .seize the misdi- 

 rected foot with the hand and, while exerting .some traction upon 

 it, pus>i it toward the side where it belongs, first somewhat up- 

 ward to cause it to glide over the poll, thence in a lateral direc- 

 tion and downward, and finally toward the central line to bring 

 it beneath the head and neck. If both feet are crossed over the 

 head, as it is alleged occurs in rare instances, that one which is 

 uppermost, the one which is crossed over the other foot as well 

 as over the head, should first be brought into position, after 

 which the other is to be similarly handled. It is not essential to 

 repel the fetus, unless the fore-foot has become engaged in the 

 roof of the vagina and has pushed its way into it so far that the 

 repulsion is necessary to its di.sengagement. In such cases the 

 repulsion should be merely sufficient to enable the operator to 

 bring about the necessary replacement of the foot. 



Should the replacement of the limb prove difficult, it is ad- 

 visable to cord the foot and have an assistant exert traction 

 upon it in such direction as the operator may indicate, while 

 he guides and aids the repo.sition directly with his hand. After 

 completing the replacement of the foot into its normal position, 



