MONSTROSITIES. 



419 



to lead to a correct diagnosis. In some cases the exposed heart can be 

 seized by the hand, and if the fcctus is ahve the contractions of this 

 organ will be distinctly perceptible. 



Prognosis. 



The prognosis in these cases of dystokia will greatly depend upon 

 the distortion and size of the fcctus, as well as upon its position. In 

 thirty -nine observations collected by Franck, twenty-eight — or 72 

 per cent. — of these monstrosities were born without injury to the 

 mother, and a number of them without assistance ; the remaining eleven 

 Cows had to be slaughtered. In thirty-two instances, twenty-eight — or 

 93 per cent. — of the foetuses presented by the abdomen ; only four cases 

 — 13 per cent. — presented anteriorly, with the head and all the feet 

 towards the genital canal. The latter were the most serious, as in three 

 of them the Cows died. Of the twenty-eight abdominal or visceral 

 presentations, twenty-three births took place without permanent injury 

 to the mothers, the other five being killed. One was delivered by the 

 CsBsarian section. In some of the cases in which birth occurred with- 

 out assistance, the young creature was born alive. 



Fig. vii. 

 Cklosomian Mo.nstuosity : L.\mb. 



1, Hind Foot ; 2, Fore Feet ; 3, Tail ; 4, Tongue : 5, f:il>ow of Left Fore 

 Limb ; 6, Stifle ; 7, Kibs everted ; 8, Viscera. 



Extraction. 



.\s we have seen, the prognosis in the large majority of cases is 

 favourable, and particularly when the presentation is abdominal. Here 

 careful manipulation will elTect delivery, and often the only mutilation 

 necessary is the removal of the ftctal viscera. These being got rid of, 

 hand or cord traction made on the most convenient parts, or the inser- 

 tion of a hook behind the spine into the pelvis or any other likely and 

 accessible part, with gradual pulling will effect delivery; if not, the 

 vertebrtD should be divided. 



But when the head and all the feet present, then the case is much 

 more serious. If the fcctus is only moderately developed, even in this 

 position it has been removed by traction. But in nearly all these cases 

 embryotomy must be adopted. Some practitioners have succeeded in 

 extracting the Calf by cording the head and fore-limbs, and pulling at 

 these, while the hind-limbs were being pushed forwards into the uterus, 

 and so dislocating the spine and straightening the body. If the spine 

 does not give way, it may be cut or sawn through. 



