DIFFICULT PAETURITION. 177 



noose is passed around each fetlock and a repeller (see Plate IX) 

 planted in the breast is pressed in a direction upward and backward 

 while active traction is made on the ropes. If the feet are not thereby 

 raised from the floor of the pelvis the palm of the hand may be 

 placed beneath them to protect the mucous membrane until they have 

 advanced sufficiently to obviate this danger. In the absence of a 

 repeller, a smooth rounded fork handle may be employed. If the 

 shortening is too great to allow of the extension of the limbs in this 

 way, the tense tendons may be cut across behind the shank bone and 

 in front of the elbow, and the limb will be easily straightened out. 

 This is most easily done with an embryotomy knife furnished with a 

 ring for the middle finger, so that the blade may be protected in the 

 palm of the hand. (See Plate XV, fig. 4.) 



ONE FORE LIMB CROSSED OVER THE BACK OF THE NECK. 



With the long fore limbs of the foal this readily occurs, and the 

 resulting increase in thickness, both at the head and shoulder, oft'ers 

 a serious obstacle to progress. (See Plate XI, fig. 2.) The hand 

 introduced into the passage detects the head and one fore foot, and 

 farther back on the same side of the head the second foot, from which 

 the limb may be traced obliquely across the back of the neck. 



If parturition continues to make progress the displaced foot may 

 bruise and lacerate the vagina. By seizing the limb above the fetlock 

 it may be easily pushed over the head to the proper side, when partu- 

 rition will proceed normally. 



FORE LIMB BENT AT THE KNEE. 



The nose and one fore foot present, and on examination the knee of 

 the missing fore limb is found farther back. (Plate XI, fig. 1.) First 

 place a noose each on the presenting pastern and lower jaw, and push 

 back the body of the fetus with a repeller, while the operator seizing 

 the shank of the bent limb extends it so as to press back the knee and 

 bring forward the fetlock and foot. As progress is made little by 

 little the hand is slid down from the region of the knee to the fetlock, 

 and finally that is secured and brought up into the passage, when 

 parturition will proceed without hindrance. If both fore limbs are 

 bent back the head must be noosed and the limbs brought up as above, 

 one after the other. It is usually best to employ the left hand for the 

 right fore limb, and the right hand for the left fore limb. 



FORE LIMB TURNED BACK FROM THE SHOFLDER. 



In this case, on exploration by the side of the head and presenting 



limb, the shoulder only can be reached at first. , ( Plate XI, fig. 4.} 



By noosing the head and presenting fore limb, these may be drawn 



forward into the pelvis, and the oiled hand being carried along the 



H. Doc. 795, 59-2 12 



