DYsroKIA FRO.U THE DORSO- LUMBAR PREflEXTATIOX. 475 



hollow of the flank leading to the thigh and stille. The dorsal region, 

 or back, is discovered by the arches of the ribs springing from each 

 side, with the intercostal spaces. 



Having diagnosed the presentation, the 2J0S it ion must now be deter- 

 mined, and this is done by ascertaining the direction in whicli the head 

 lies. With regard to this, we pointed out at p. 2-i9 that there were 

 three positions of the fcetus : The cephalo-ilial positions, two in 

 number, in one of which the fcetus has tlie head directed towards the 

 Ti(jht flank of the mother {riijht cephalo-ilial position), and in the other 

 towards the left flank {left ccphaloilial position), the head and feet 

 occupying the uterine cornua ; while in the ccphalo-sacral position, the 

 fa'tus looks as if seated on the udder of the mother, the head being 

 directed forward, the mane towards the sacro-lumbar region of the 

 dam. 



It can scarcely be necessary to mention that the exact position of 

 the fcetus should be ascertained before attempts at extraction are 

 ventured upon ; as this presentation is, in nearly every case, a very 

 serious one, and only too frequently requires all the skill and judgment 

 of the obstetrist to rectify. The gravity of the case will, however, 

 much depend upon the period when the veterinary surgeon is called in, 

 and the condition of the parturient animal. When sufticiently early 

 in his attendance, however, a favourable result may often, if not always, 

 be anticipated : the mother m.ay be saved, and frequently the oifspring 

 — particularly in the Covr and Goat. 



This favourable issue is due to the fact that the presentation does 

 not admit of the foetus entering the inlet, and it therefore remains in 

 the abdominal cavity, where there is space to manipulate it, and thus 

 remedy the presentation. The obstetrist, though he may have to con- 

 tend with the paralysing and fatiguing uterine contractions, has not to 

 overcome the wedging of the fci'tus in the pelvic canal — so common in 

 the defective anterior or posterior presentations. 



With the Mare, however, tlie case is always more serious, because of 

 the energetic contractions which — unless they can be controlled early 

 in parturition by partial amcsthesia or other means — ofl'er a formidable 

 obstacle to mutation of the foetus. 



Indications. — -The principal indication in such cases is to convert the 

 dorsal into an anterior or posterior presentation, according to circum- 

 stances. Hippocrates has well said that tlie foetus is like a cork which 

 has fallen into a bottle, and which can only be extracted by one end or 

 the other. 



Certainly the presentation ofTers serious difficulties, from the fact 

 that there is nothing about the foetus to lay hold of advantageously, or 

 to which cords can be attached. In the majority of instances, a long 

 interval has elapsed since parturition began ; tlie " waters " have 

 escaped, the genital canal is swollen and congested from the attempts 

 of amateurs at delivery, the interior of the uterus is dry and adhesive, 

 the organ lies as close to the fa^tus as a glove does to the hand, and 

 the parent is exhausted with unavailing straining, and perhaps mal- 

 treatment — though the most trifling manipulation in the uterus will 

 excite it to the most vigorous contractions. 



It is ordinarily in these circumstances that the veterinary surgeon 

 is required to save mother and offspring. What, then, is the first, most 

 urgent, and indeed the chief indication ? This must be version. The 

 presentation must be converted into an anterior or posterior one, and 



