KXOE^'S AV GPJJU'TII OF HAIR. 379 



Indications. 



The indications for the treatment of these cases arc similar to 

 those given for constricted or contracted pelvis: (1) Extraction of the 

 ftt'tus entire by manipulation; (2) Removal by embryotomy. 



1. Extraction of the Fcvttts entire. — If the "waters" have escaped 

 for any length of time and the parts are dry and viscid, warm emollient 

 fluids — as linseed-tea— should be injected into the vagina, and if neces- 

 sary the portions of the foetus presenting may be lubricated with 

 glycerine, oil, unsalted lard, or any other lubricant. The hand should 

 then adjust the foetus, if this is requisite, and attempts be made to 

 extract it by judicious traction — cords on the head and limbs, and 

 other accessory means to be hereafter described, being employed as 

 occasion demands. 



The degree of traction will depend upon the amount of resistance to 

 be overcome, it being carefully borne in mind that a medium degree of 

 force well directed is often more effective than severe traction mis- 

 directed and inopportune. 



For this reason it is that a careful adjustment of the foetus should 

 be made before any force is resorted to, the " wedged " portions being 

 " eased" and well smeared. It not unfrequently happens that a very 

 trifling displacement of the foetus will allow it to pass gradually through 

 the pelvic canal, and lead to the successful termination of a case which 

 otherwise many would consider impossible to deliver. 



2. Embryotomy. — When forcible extraction is deemed impossible, or 

 dangerous for the mother, and when the latter has ceased to aid in 

 expelling the foetus, then the only alternative is embryotomy, which, 

 entailing as it does the destruction of the progeny, yet affords the only 

 chance of saving the parent. The operation will be described hereafter. 

 In the meantime it may be noted that if the obstruction is due to a 

 large head, this must be removed by decapitation ; then if the thorax 

 be also found too voluminous, perhaps a slight half-screwing movement 

 of this part, coupled with traction, will move it outwards. Otherwise 

 the body must be taken away piecemeal. 



In the Bitch a similar process is resorted to ; if the head is too large 

 to pass through the pelvis by means of any of the apparatus to be here- 

 after described, it must be crushed in every direction by forceps ; then, 

 if extraction cannot be effected, the Ciesarian section is the last resource. 



Excess in Guowth of IIaijj, 



The only instance of this cause of dystokia I can find is that recorded 

 by Eberhardt,' of Fulda, who found a Cow unable to calve, and on 

 examination discovered the fa-tus fixed in the genital canal, the presenta- 

 tion and position being normal. A careful examination discovered no 

 other obstacle to birth than a most unusual quantity of long, thick, 

 shaggy hair — which was quite dry, from the waters having escaped 

 some time previously. This offered most resistance at the upper part 

 of the vagina, and so great was it that the fu'tus could not be moved. 

 Having secured the fore-limbs and head by cords, Ebcrhardt smeared 

 his hand and arm well with grease, lubricated the passage thoroughly, 

 and rubbed the hair plentifully with the same material ; then by 

 suitable traction and manipulation birth was readily effected. 



> Deutsche ZeiUchnflfur Thiermedicin und VergleichemU PcUhologie, 1877, p. 299. 



