788 Veter7iary Obstetrics 



b. Ventral Transverse Presentation. 



Most fetuses in the transverse presentation offer at the pelvic 

 inlet by their ventral surfaces. The head of the fetus is retained, 

 all the feet offer in, or are somewhere near to, the pelvic inlet, and 

 the fetus lies upon its side, more or less transverse to the spinal 

 axis of the mother, with the fetal head resting in the region of 

 one or the other of the maternal ilia — right or left cephaloilial 

 position. 



Symptoms. In most instances some or all feet appear at or 

 near the vulva, but no essential progress is made in the expul- 

 sion of the fetus, although the animal may make violent expul- 

 sive efforts, and neighbors and empirics may apply force. 



In a large proportion of the cases in the mare, wr3'-neck is 

 present. If the wry-neck is to the right the fetus usually lies 

 upon its right side, and if to the left upon its left side, so that the 

 head in a large proportion of cases is entirely out of reach, which 

 in many respects is fortunate. Upon inserting the hand, the 

 obstetrist usually meets with, and can identify, all four of the 

 limbs. In some cases it may be exceedingly difficult for him to 

 differentiate between the different members, so badly are they 

 entangled with each other, and so tightly impacted in the pelvic 

 canal. 



This form of dystokia is quite favorable for the mare, because 

 the owner or empiric is usually balked at once in any effort to 

 meddle with the case, and must consequently await the arrival 

 of the veterinarian. Even more or less violent traction upon the 

 fetus, as a general rule, produces little harm, because its position 

 is such that any moderate force applied to the feet cannot wedge 

 the fetal body in the pelvic inlet or force any projecting portion 

 of the fetus against the soft parts of the mother. 



Handling, i. Version. In the cow it may be practical and 

 advisable to attempt adjustment without embryotomy, because 

 the feet and legs are shorter and more pliable than those of the 

 foal. If it is decided to perform version of the fetus, the two 

 posterior limbs are to be corded at the pastern, and the two 

 anterior limbs pushed away forward as far as the operator can 

 reach, while an assistant advances the posterior limbs by exert- 

 ing traction upon the cords, as described on page 634. The 

 operator thus converts a transverse into a posterior presentation, 

 after which the delivery is completed as such. 



