DYSTOKIA FROM ABNORMAL POSITION.^'. 427 



eating each other. Thus, with a vicious position of the head we may 

 have a wrong direction of the fore, and perhaps also of the hind, hinbs. 

 But as the double or triple complications are ditVicult to describe, and 

 as the practical value of the descriptions might consequently suffer, it 

 is deemed the best course to study each complication separately : the 

 complex cases arising from their combination being then easily under- 

 stood, and the indications for overcoming them being also simplified. 



These complications are very often found in the Mare and Cow, less 

 frequently in the Sheep and Goat, and rarely in the Bitch, Sow, or Cat. 

 "We have no means of arriving at a knowledge of their relative frequency 

 in any species.' 



A. Normal Anterior Presentation. 



In this presentation the extended head and the outstretched fore- 

 limbs are towards the genital canal. 



SECTION I.— DYSTOKIA FROM ABNORMAL POSITIONS. 



Here we have three abnormal or reversed positions — a dorso-puhic, and 

 two durso-supra-colyloidean. 



Dorso-Pubic Position. 



This position is difficult when the depth of the fcetal chest exceeds 

 the vertical diameter of the pelvic inlet of the mother — a circumstance 

 more frequent, evidently, in the Cow than the Mare — being, according 

 to one practitioner, as twenty to one. In the natural or dorso-sacral 

 position, the foetus readily accommodates itself to the canal, but when 

 it lies on its back its shape does not lend itself readily to enter the 

 pelvis, it having a tendency to jam against the upper surface, and the 

 feet to penetrate the soft tissues there. On exploration the hand detects 

 the position by the fore-feet being upwards, and the fetlocks bending in 

 the same direction as the knees ; while if the head is within ruach, the 

 nose and lower jaw can be distinguished. 



To rectify this position, rotation of the ftetus must be practised. 

 The lower jaw and fore-feet should be corded, the head pushed away 

 from the pelvic inlet, and the body turned withers upwards by the 

 hand ; then gentle traction is to be made on the cords, so as to ))ring the 

 head and feet into the pelvis, the hand guiding them into the canal in 

 the first position, when delivery can be effected. 



' Zippelius, ((unted by Franck, in 108 cases of dystokia found them to be due to the 

 several causes in the following proportions : 



Abortions ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 



Occlusion of the os uteri ... ... ... ... ... ... 30 



Torsion of the uterus .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 



Lateral inclination of the head and neck of the foetus ... ... 16 



Lateral inclination of thf hrad and n>i.<Klirection of the fore-limbe 4 



Head and neck under the fore-limbs ... ... ... ... 3 



Head bent up on the back ... ... ... ... ... 2 



Torsion of the uterus with posterior presentation ... ... ... 1 



Posterior presentation with misdirection of the hind-feet ... ... 2 



Limb over neck ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 



Lumbo-pubic position ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 



Posterior and tran.sverse presentation ... ... ... ... 1 



Rachitis affecting the pelvis of Cow and Calf ... ... ... 1 



Hydrops amnii ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 



Mummification of the foetus ... ... ... ... ... 2 



