rosiTioxs OF THE FO-yri's. 219 



the abdomen of the mother, and the creature in the attitude of a Dog 

 sitting. 



Tlie important consideration in tiiese three positions is related to 

 the situation or direction of the liead ; if this is known, it is easy to 

 infer that of the other parts of its body, and thus appreciate the in- 

 dications for delivery to bo followed in this presentation. According 

 to the direction of the head, the three following positions are described : 



1. Right Ct'pluilo-ilial Position. — The fu'tus is on its right side, which 

 rests more or less directly on tlie abdominal walls of the mother, the 

 head in the right tlank, the croup towards the left Hank, the body more 

 or less curved, and the dorso- lumbar region towards the pelvis, in which 

 it presents (Figs. 70, 77). 



2. Left Ccphalo-ilial Position. — This is the reverse of the preceding. 



3. Ccphalo-sacral Position. — In this position the foetus presents by 

 the back, and in an almost vertical attitude — the croup resting on the 

 floor of the mother's abdomen, the head more or less depressed, and 

 directed forward towards the sacro-lumbar region — the creature being 

 seated, as it were, on the udder of its parent (Fig. 78). 



Positions in the Stkhno-ahdominal Pkkskntation. — In this trans- 

 verse presentation the foetus otTers the abdomen to the inlet of the ))elvis, 

 and on deep exploration the hand first meets this part, and perhai)s two 

 or more of the limbs, generally a hind and a fore one. The head may 

 be found (Fig. 79), or it maybe out of reach; or the head and limbs 

 may be doubled back, so that no part of the creature has entered the 

 vagina, though the sternum and other parts on the lower surface of the 

 body can be felt. 



In this presentation there are three principal positions : — 



1. Left Ccphalo-ilial Position. — The fa'tus lies on the right side, the 

 head towards the left ilium of the mother, and the croup to the right 

 ilium (Fig. 79). 



2. liitjht Ccphalo-ilial Position. — This is the reverse of the preceding. 



3. Cephalo-sacral Position. — In this position the fu-tus is vertical, the 

 croup being downward ; but the abdomen and sternum are towards the 

 pelvic inlet, all the limbs being directed towards tiie os uteri, while the 

 withers correspond to the sacro-lumbar region, and the head is turned 

 to the back or sides of the foetus. 



All these transverse positions are abnormal and dystokial. 



SaintCyr, who has mainly followed Rainard in the definition of these 

 presentations and positions of the fa-tus, insists on the necessity for 

 studying them carefully, as by so doing those who commence the practice 

 of obstetricy will be greatly enlightened as to the diOiculties they may 

 encounter, and the readiest and most scientific way of overcoming 

 them ; while this study will enable the skilled practitioner to describe 

 his interesting cases with more clearness and precision. To render 

 what has just been stated more convenient, the following table is given, 

 in order to show at a glance the dififerent presentations and positions : 



