180 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



the anterior presenting part of the body may be skinned and cut off 

 as far back toward the pelvis as possible (see " Embryotomy ") ; then 

 nooses are placed on the hind fetlocks and traction is made upon these 

 while the quarters are pushed back into the womb. Then the re- 

 maining portion is brought away by the posterior presentation. 



ANTERIOR PRESENTATION W^TH BACK TURNED TO ONE SIDE. 



The greatest diameter of the axis of the foal, like that of the pelvic 

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

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

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

 sible. 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 fetus until its face and back are 

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

 natural. 



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



In a roomy mare this is not an insuperable obstacle to parturi- 

 tion, 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. 

 Lubrication 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 back. 



In obstinate cases two other resorts are open: First, to turn the 

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

 make a posterior presentation, and, second, the amputation of the fore 

 limbs, after which extraction will usually be easy. 



HIND PRESENTATION W^ITH LEG BENT AT HOCK. 



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

 beneath them present, but can not advance through the pelvis by 

 reason of their bulk. (Plate XI, 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 i^astern in the 

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

 protected 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, 



