DYSTOKIA DUE TO THE HEAD. 453 



This lateral deviation of the head is liable to be complicated by mis- 

 direction of one or both of the foro-linibs, which may be Hexed at the 

 knee, entirely retained, or crossed on the sternum. Such a complica- 

 tion of course greatly adds to the gravity of the case, and renders it 

 much more formidable. 



Here it will be necessary to adjust the limbs before interfering with 

 the head ; though the latter, if it can be reached, and there is any benefit 

 to be derived from doing so, should be secured by either a head-collar, 

 or a cord round the neck or jaw. The feet should always be secured by 

 cords, so that if it is requisite to push them into the uterus, they may 

 readily be withdrawn again. 



In one instance of this kind,^ the sacro-sciatic ligament of a Cow was 

 divided, and the dead faHus removed through the opening. There was 

 very little hicmorrhage, and the Cow soon recovered. 



With the smaller animals — such as the Sheep and Goat — this devia- 

 tion must be remedied by forced extraction with the short blunt hook or 

 finger-hook, the fore-limbs of the foetus being manipulated so as to push 

 away the unencumbered shoulder into the uterus, and bring forward 

 that round which the neck bends. The smallness of the genital passages 

 in these creatures is an obstacle to manipulation, but an intelligent boy 

 with a small hand may be of much sei^vice when acting under the direc- 

 tion of the obstetrist. 



With the Bitch and Sow these deviations are extremely rare. When 

 they do occur it will be found that forceps will generally effect forced 

 extraction ; or a piece of strong catgut, or brass or copper wire, may be 

 passed round the bend of the neck. Traction on this will either re- 

 move the fa^tus, or by cutting through the neck permit it to be ex- 

 tracted by the forceps hereafter to be described. Placing the Bitch in 

 a warm bath for a few minutes, and then laying it on the side opposite 

 to that to which the head of the puppy is inclined, will be found 

 advantageous. 



Deviation Upicanl and Backward. 



The deviation of the head more or less upward and backward — the 

 inferior borders of the lower jaw being vertical or turned towards the 

 maternal sacrum — appears to be an extremely rare complication, and is 

 chiefly met with in tlie Mare, in which it has led to rupture of the 

 uterus and rectum, and delivery by the latter. 



The cause is probably the same as in the other deviations of this 

 region. 



On exploration, if the foetus is in the dorso-sacral position, the fore- 

 limbs may be found more or less advanced in the vagina, and beyond 

 them, at the inlet, the hand meets the sternum, while above it is the 

 front part of tlie neck, with the trachea leading upwards to the head, 

 which may be bent more or less back on the withers or loins (Fig. 136), 

 or inclined to one or other side of the fatus, the lower jaw always 

 facing the lumbo-sacral region of the mother, or twisted slightly round 

 (Fig. 137). 



Indications. — Retropulsion is the first indication, and this alone will 

 often bring the head into its normal position ; it should be practised on 

 the sternum. Should the head not drop down to the pelvic inlet, then, 



' Velerinarian, vol. xxx., p. 20, 



