176 



ANTERIOR PRESENTATION WITH BACK TURNED TO ONE SIDE. 



The greatest diameter of the axis of tlie foal, like that of the ijelvic 

 passages, is from above downward, and when the fcetns enters the 

 pelvis with this greatest diameter engaged transversely or in the nar- 

 row diameter of the pelvis, parturition is rendered difficult or impossi- 

 ble. In such a case the pasterns and head may be noosed, and the 

 passages and engaged portion of the foal freely lubricated with lard, 

 the limbs may be crossed over each other and the head, and a move- 

 ment of rotation effected in the foetus until its face and back are 

 turned up .toward the croup of the mother; then parturition becomes 

 natural. 



BACK OP THE FOAL TURNED TO THE FLOOR OF THE PELVIS. 



In a roomy mare this is not an insuperable obstacle to parturition, 

 yet it may seriously impede it, by reason of the curvature of the body 

 of the foal being opposite to that of the passages, and the head and 

 withers being liable to arrest against the border of the pelvis. Lubri- 

 cation of the passage with lard and traction of the limbs and head 

 will usually suffice with or without the turning of the mare on her 

 ])ack. In obstinate cases two other resorts are open: (1) to turn the 

 foal, pushing back the fore-parts and bringing up the hind so as to 

 make a posterior presentation, and (2) the amputation of the fore- 

 limbs, after which extraction will usually l)e easy. 



HIND PRESENTATION WITH LEG BENT AT HOCK. 



In this form the quarters of the foal with the hind-legs bent up 

 ])eneath them present, but can not advance through the pelvis by rea 

 son of their bulk. (Plate X, Fig. 3.) The oiled hand introduced can 

 recognize the outline of the buttocks, with the tail and anus in the 

 center and the sharp points of the hocks beneath. First pass a rope 

 around each limb at the hock, then with hand or repeller, push the 

 buttocks backward and upward, until the feet can be brought up into 

 the passages. The great length of the shank and pastern in the foal 

 is a serious obstacle to this, and in all cases the foot should be pro- 

 tected in the palm of the hand while being brought up over the brim 

 of the pelvis. Otherwise the womb may be torn. When the pains are 

 too violent and constant to allow effective manipulation, some respite 

 may be obtained by the use of chloroform or morphia, and l)y turning 

 the mare on her back, but too often the operator fails and the foal 

 must be sacrificed. Two courses are still open : first, to cut through 

 the cords behind and above the hock and extend the upper part of the 

 limb, leaving the hock bent, and extract in this way, and, second, to 

 amputate the hind-limbs at the hip joint and remove them separately, 

 after whicli tlie bodv mav l)e extracted. 



