464 F(ETAL DYSTOKIA. 



The method of adjusting the hind-limbs is as follows : 



1. Push tJie foetus as far as possible into the uterus. This retropulsion 

 can be effected without difficulty — even in the Mare — at the commence- 

 ment of parturition, when the foetus has not yet entered the pelvic inlet, 

 or, at most, the points of the hocks are only engaged. But at a later 

 period, when labour is more advanced, and the croup is in the passage 

 and on the vaginal side of the inlet, the difficulty is greatly increased 

 in the Cow, and retropulsion may even be impossible in the Mare. It 

 should always be attempted, however, and in the Cow the attempt will 

 be generally successful. 



The hind-quarters must be raised as much as possible, and the hand 

 should be applied against the buttock of the young creature, the thumb 

 on one hip, the fingers on the other, and immediately below the tail. 

 If the repeller is used (and it is very convenient in these cases), it 

 should be placed across the thighs. The retropulsion should be made 

 by steady pushes in the interval between the labour-pains ; these pushes 

 should be directed slightly upward, so as to raise the croup. At first 

 the resistance seems to be insurmountable, but gradually the foetus 

 begins to move forward, and finally is entirely propelled into the uterus, 

 and at a sufiicient distance from the pubis to allow the limbs to be 

 extended backwards. 



When the animal persists in lying, the hind-quarters may be raised 

 by trusses of straw ; and it has happened in some cases, especially with 

 the Mare, that retropulsion could only be achieved and delivery effected 

 by putting hobbles on the hind-pasterns, and drawing up the hind- 

 quarters by means of the rope attached to them, and which was run 

 over a beam in the ceiling. 



Eainard points out that it often happens, during this retropulsion, 

 that the foetus is pushed into somewhat of a transverse position, — the 

 head and fore-limbs approaching the pelvis, where they may be seized 

 and version effected by moving them round into the anterior presenta- 

 tion, bringing them into the passage, and then completing deliver)^ 

 This fortunate movement, however, must be extremely rare. 



2. When the body of the foetus has been pushed sufliciently far from 

 the pubis to allow the limbs to be seized, the hand may then fasten a 

 cord on each 'pastern (by means of the porte-cord, if necessary), in order 

 to assist in extending the limbs at the proper moment, by a few 

 moderate pulls in the desired direction. 



3. To extend the limbs in the genital canal, the lower parts must 

 describe the arc of a circle, the hock-joint being the centre, the limb 

 below this being the ray ; so that the foot, which is at first directed 

 forward, may be brought directly back towards the vulva of the mother. 

 The limb which is most convenient is first extended. Some obstetrists 

 begin by seizing the hock, the fingers in front and below the joint, the 

 palm and thumb on the calcis and shank ; the lower part of the limb is 

 then drawn backwards, while the thigh is pushed forward, and by a turn 

 of the wrist the leg is carried through the inlet and straightened. The 

 same procedure is carried out with the other. 



Other practitioners endeavour to flex the limb as completely as 

 possible, commencing with the tibia and lifting it well up against the 

 femur, then the hock is bent ; the limb is now seized at the lower end 

 of the cannon-bone, or even at the fetlock, and is then lifted into the 

 vagina. Schaack's method does not differ much from this. He flexes 

 the leg on the thigh as much as possible, raising the point of the hock 



