rKKLlMlXAnV rnECAUTIOXS AX1> OPEliATlOXS. 485 



recumbent, and must kneel, or even assume the horizontal position. 

 With regard to the animal itself, the lateral and ventral positions are 

 very unfavourable, because of compression of the abdomen, which <^reatly 

 hinders manipulation and interferes with delivery. To obviate this, 

 the animal ou^'ht to be placed on its back, and kept in that position by 

 having' previously had the feet brought together by means of a rope or 

 hopples, and tying another rope to these by which assistants can steady 

 the body ; a truss of straw placed close on each side of the back will 

 greatly aid in securing this position. In some cases it is most advan- 

 tageous to have the front-part of the body raised by litter, so as to 

 bring the foetus nearer the pelvic cavity ; in other cases it may be 

 equally advantageous to have the hind-quarters raised either by litter 

 or by suspension, the hind-feet being fastened together by a rope, the 

 end of which is passed over a beam and pulled until the required eleva- 

 tion is obtained. This raising of the hind-quarters has been success- 

 fully employed, as we have remarked, in reducing torsion of the uterus ; 

 and it has been no less useful in cases of dystokia due to bending back 

 of the head or neck of the fttitus. 



Cases are met with now and again in which it is desirable to place 

 the animal in the recumbent position, and then the gi'eatest care is 

 necessary to prevent its being injured in laying it down. 



The Cow has been placed on its side by passing a bed-sheet, folded 

 lengthways two or three times, beneath the abdomen, in front of the 

 udder, two men holding each end and lifting up as if to carry the 

 animal off its feet ; the Cow immediately turns on its side and the 

 hind-quarters fall softly on the litter, but the sheet must be kept tense. 

 Another plan is almost as simple : A long rope is provided, with a 

 noose at one end ; this is passed around the horns, the rope is carried 

 along the ridge of the neck, and a turn is made around the shoulders, 

 another behind the shoulders, and a third around the abdomen, the 

 rope being then brought along the sacrum. A slow and steadily in- 

 creasing pull is made upon it, and the animal soon bends the fore-legs, 

 then the hind ones, and lies down in the most gentle manner. 



Sheep and Pigs are generally recumbent, and the operator has to 

 kneel ; but they are more easily handled than the Cow or Mare. 



Dogs and Cats are also readily managed, and can be placed upon a 

 bench or table, and moved about to any position required without 

 restraint. 



When about to deal with a case of dystokia, the practitioner has, of 

 course, first ascertained its history, and satisfied himself as to the 

 general condition of tlie animal before connnencing his exploration. 

 With the larger animals it is necessary that he divest himself of some 

 of his upper garments — how many will depend upon the nature of the 

 case ; it may sutVice to remove the coat and vest, and roll up the shirt- 

 sleeves, or it may demand removal of everything save under-vest and 

 trousers ; indeed, for such cases it is well to be provided with a long 

 sleeveless blouse, fastened round the waist by means of a band, and a 

 pair of waterproof trousers. 



Before introducing the hand and arm into the genital canal, they 

 should be covered with olive-oil or grease, in order not only to faciUtate 

 their introduction, but to protect the operator against septic infection. 

 It is very fortunate for him if he can use both hands alike, as the left 

 hand is sometimes more convenient than the right, and in tedious 

 operations the one reheves the other. The fingers are brought together 



