208 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



plished, it will often be possible to extract the fetus with the other 

 leg turned forward into the womb. If the calf is bloated with gas, it 

 may be necessary to remove the other leg in the same way, and even 

 to cut open the chest and abdomen and remove their contents before 

 extraction can be effected. In the case of extra limbs it may be pos- 

 sible to bring them up into the passages after the presenting hind 

 limbs have been removed. If this is not practicable, they may be de- 

 tached by cutting them through at the hip joint, as described under 

 " Breech presentation,'' page 199. 



Another method of removing the hind limb is, after having skinned 

 it over the quarter, to cut through the pelvic bones from before back- 

 ward, in the median line below, by knife, saw, or long embryotome 

 (PL XX, fig. 1), and then disjoint the bones of the spine (sacntm) 

 and the hip bone {ilium) on that side with embryotome, knife, or 

 saw, and then drag awa}^ the entire limb, along with all the hip bones 

 on that side. This has the advantage of securing more room and 

 thereby facilitating subsequent operations. Both limbs may be re- 

 moved in this way, but on the removal of the second the operator is 

 without any solid point to drag upon in bringing away the remainder 

 of the fetus. 



DIVISION ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF THE BODY. 



In cases of extra size, monstrosity, or distortion of one end of the 

 body it may be requisite to cut the body in two and return the half 

 from the passages into the womb, even after one-half has been born. 

 The presenting members are dragged upon forcibly by assistants to 

 bring as much of the body as possible outside. Then cut through the 

 skin around the body at some distance from the vulva, and with hand, 

 knife, and spud detach it from the tiiink as far back into the passages 

 as can be reached. Next cut across the body at the point reached, 

 beginning at the lower part (breast, belly) and proceeding up toward 

 the spine. This gi'eatly favors the separation of the backbone when 

 reached, and further allows of its being extended so that it can be 

 divided higher up. AMien the backbone is reached, the knife is 

 passed between the two bones, the prominent ridges across their ends 

 acting as guides, and by dragging and twisting the one is easil}'^ 

 detached from the other. With an anterior presentation the separa- 

 tion should, if possible, be made behind the last rib, while with a 

 posterior presentation as many of the ribs should be brought away as 

 can be accomplished. Having removed one half of the body, the re- 

 maining half is to be pushed back into the womb, the feet sought 

 and secured with nooses, and the second half removed in one piece 

 if possible; and if not, then after the removal of the extra limb or 

 other cause of obstruction. 



