424 FCETAL DYSTONIA. 



the parts which present, those which belong to each foetus. This can 

 only be done by a most careful manipulation, and even then at times 

 the obstetrist will find himself embarrassed. For instance, when the 

 fore-feet of one foetus present along with the head of the other, the 

 operator may be led to believe that there is only one animal to extract ; 

 and as the position is seemingly favourable, and the difficulty only due 

 to excessive size of the foetus, powerful traction is resorted to for its 

 removal. This, however, fails to effect its object ; and when another 

 exploration is made, it is discovered that the attempt has so fixed the 

 foetal parts in the pelvis, that the most energetic and skilful manipula- 

 tion will scarcely move them in order to alter their position. 



In other instances, we find the limbs of the foetuses so interlocked 

 {locked fcetiises) tbat they are with the greatest difficulty disengaged. 



Extraction. 



It is evident that, if delivery is to be effected, one foetus must be 

 extracted at a time. They must, therefore, be disengaged, and one 

 pushed forward into the uterus, while the other is carried towards the 

 vulva. When the latter has been born, then the second, if in a wrong 

 position, must be adjusted and removed. 



This is easily written ; those who have had to carry it out in practice 

 are alone competent to say how difficult it is to execute in the majority 

 of cases. It must be remembered that, as in nearly every other case, 

 the veterinary obstetrist is only called in when the foetuses have been 

 for some time wedged in the pelvic entrance by the uterine contractions, 

 and most likely also by the injudicious manipulations of amateurs or 

 empirics. If he had the advantage of attending the animal before 

 matters had proceeded so far, and the foetuses were still in the abdomen, 

 then the difficulties would be greatly diminished. 



Eecognising the presence of twins, he w^ould select that which is in 

 the most favourable position, cord the head and fore-limbs, or the hind- 

 limbs if they presented; place them in a good direction for extraction, 

 and by the aid of assistants draw it towards the outlet, while the other 

 foetus was pushed deeper into the uterus. When the first foetus is well 

 into the passage, and the other behind and clear of it, the operation 

 may be said to be completed. It may be noted, however, that owing 

 to the obstacle offered by the first foetus, the one remaining in the 

 uterus is very often in a wrong position, and the uterus contracting 

 upon it after removal of the other, may fix it in that position, and thus 

 necessitate adjustment and other assistance being rendered.^ 



^ It is often astonishing how multiparous animals bring forth their young under extra- 

 ordinary circumstances. Cases are on record of Cats having Kittens attached to each 

 other in such an unusual manner that the space allowed each for birth seemed too 

 limited to permit this to take place. Morot alludes to six Kittens, for instance, which were 

 born alive, and all of which were joined by the end of their umbilical cords, owing, it was 

 surmised, to the placenta, chorion, amnion, and allantois being single. 



