216 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



THE HIND LIMBS EXCESSIVELY BENT ON THE BOI-Y AND ENGAGED 



IN THE PELVIS. 



In this case tlie presentation is apparently a normal anterior one; 

 fore limbs and head advance naturally and the parturition proceeds 

 until half the chest has passed through the external passages, when 

 suddenly progress ceases and no force will secure farther advance. An 

 examination with oiled hand detects the presence in the passages of 

 the hind feet and usually the hind legs up to above the hocks. (Plate 

 xvii, Fig. 1.) 



The indications for treatment are to return the hind limbs into the 

 body of the womb. If they have not advanced too far into the pelvis 

 this may be done as follows : A rope with running noose is passed over 

 each hind foot and drawn tight around the lower part of the hock 

 the ropes are then passed through the two rings in the small end of 

 the rotating instrument (Plate xx, Fig. 5) which is slid into the pas- 

 sages until it reaches the hocks, when the ropes, drawn tight, are tied 

 round the handle of the instrument. Then in the intervals between 

 the pains the hocks are pushed forcibly back into the womb. If by 

 this means flexion can be effected in hocks and stifles success will fol- 

 low ; the hind feet will pass into the womb and clear of the brim of 

 the pelvis, and the body may now be advanced without hindrance, the 

 hind limbs falling into place when the hip joints are extended. At the 

 same time the pressure upon hind limbs must not be relaxed until the 

 buttocks are engaged in the pelvis, as otherwise the feet may again get 

 over the brim and arrest the progress of delivery. 



When the hind limbs are already so jammed into the pelvis that it is 

 impossible to return them, the calf must be sacrificed to save the mother. 

 Cords with running nooses are first put on the two hind feet. The 

 body must be skinned from the shoulders back as far as can be reached, 

 and is to be then cut in two, if possible, back of the last rib. The 

 remainder of the trunk is now pushed back into the body of the womb, 

 and by traction upon the cords the hind feet are brought up into the 

 passages, and the extraction will be comparatively easy. 



HIND PRESENTATION WITH ONE Oil BOTH LEGS BENT AT THE HOCK. 



After the bursting of the water bags, though labor pains continue, 

 no part of the fetus appears at the vulva unless it be the end of the 

 tail. On examination the buttocks are felt wedged against the spine 

 at the entrance of the pelvis, and beneath them the bent hock joints 

 resting on the brim of the pelvis below. (Plate xvii, Fig. 3.) The calf 

 had been caught by the labor pains while the limb was bent beneath 

 it, and has been jammed into or against the rim of the pelvis so that 

 extension of the limb became impossible. With the thigh bent on the 

 flank, the leg on the thigh, and the shank on the leg, and all at once 

 wedged into the passage, delivery is practically impossible. 



