452 FCETAL DYSTOKIA. 



Strongly and equally on both cords. The Foal enters the inlet, but it 

 often happens that, at a given moment, it stops there, owing to the 

 uterus forming a double or ring at this part and opposing progression. 

 Traction must then cease, but the fcetus is to be held firmly in the posi- 

 tion to which it has been advanced ; the hand is to be introduced 

 between the latter and the uterus — the back of the hand to the foetus, 

 palm to the mucous membrane — the fold sought for, and dispersed by 

 raising the back of the hand. Then the tractions are to be renewed, 

 and in the course of fifteen, ten, or even fewer minutes, the Foal is 

 extracted. It is well to empty the rectum before commencing 

 extraction. 



When practised with care and discretion, this forced removal of the 

 Foal may certainly be commended, especially if it is of small size 

 and the Mare is not exhausted ; but when the foetus is large and the 

 mother has suffered much, then there is certainly danger, and embry- 

 otomy should be performed. But we should prefer, when circumstances 

 will permit, to give a trial to the methods already enumerated ; seeing 

 that this procedure is not always successful, and may be followed by 

 untoward consequences. Eberhard gives an instance^ in which forced 

 extraction was attempted in a Mare, and was followed by rupture of 

 the abdominal muscles, through the powerful traction resorted to. 



With regard to embryotomy, this must be looked upon as preferable 

 to forced extraction — even in the Mare, but particularly in the Cow ; 

 nevertheless, it must always be considered as an extreme measure. 

 The operation will be described hereafter, but we may note in this 

 place that the head or presenting limbs, or even both, may be re- 

 moved. Decollation is, however, a most difficult business when the 

 head cannot be reached ; if it is accessible the operation can scarcely be 

 necessary. The limbs should be removed subcutaneously, the most 

 advanced being first excised, and with the shoulder if possible. Not 

 infrequently removal of one limb will be sufficient to allow the foetus 

 to be adjusted — especially in the Mare ; or it may permit forced extrac- 

 tion, without adjustment, to be easily accomplished. 



With the Calf, both limbs have usually to be removed. In this opera- 

 tion, the long sharp crotchet will be of service. 



The parturient animal in which this head-deviation of the foetus 

 occurs, has sometimes a very pendulous abdomen, and manipulation is 

 greatly retarded by this conformation. Placing it on its back will 

 generally give greater facilities for obstetrical operations of this kind. 



Lateral deviation of the head is usually encountered when the foetus 

 is in the first, or dorso-sacral, position. It may nevertheless be met 

 with, though rarely, in the dorso-pubic position, or in the right or left 

 dorso-ilial position, which is still more rare. 



These positions, however, do not modify the indications for extraction 

 to any considerable extent, except that in the last, after correcting the 

 deviation of the head, rotation should be practised, and the foetus placed 

 in the dorso-sacral position, if possible, before delivery is attempted. 

 When the head is doubled beneath the body of the foetus in these lateral 

 positions, it will be found most advantageous, in order to reach it, to 

 throw the mother down on the side that will ensure the head of the 

 young creature being uppermost. Version may be advisable in some of 

 these positions. 



1 Gurlt and Hertwig's Magazin Jili- Thurhtilkunde, 1S51, p. 269. 



