168 



FORE-LIMBS INCOMPLETELY EXTENDED. 



lu cases of this kiDtl, uot only are the back tendons behind the knee 

 and shank-bone unduly short, but the sinew extending from the 

 front of the shoulder-blade over the front of the elbow and down 

 to the head of the shank-bone is also shortened. The result is that 

 the fore-limb is bent at the knee and the elbow is also rigidly bent. 

 The condition obstructs parturition by the feet becoming pressed against 

 the floor of the pelvis or by the elbow pressing on its anterior brim. 

 Belief is to be obtained by forcible extension. A rope with a running 

 noose is passed around each fetlock and a repeller (see Plate YIII), 

 planted in the breast is pressed in a direction upward and backward 

 while active traction is made on the ropes. If the feet are not thereby 

 raised from the floor of the pelvis the palm of the hand may be placed 

 beneath them to protect the mucous membrane until they have ad- 

 vanced sufficiently to obviate this danger. In the absence of a repel- 

 ler, a smooth rounded fork-handle may be employed. If the shortening 

 is too great to allow of the extension of the limbs in this way, the tense 

 tendons may be cut across behind the shank bone and in front of the 

 elbow, and the limb will be easily straightened out. This is most easily 

 done with an embryotomy knife furnished with a ring for the middle 

 finger, so that the blade may be protected in the palm of the hand. 

 (See Plate XIY, Fig. 4.) 



ONE FORE-LIMB CROSSED OVER THE BACK OF THE NECK. 



With the long fore-limbs of the foal this readily occurs and the re- 

 sulting increase in thickness, both at the head and shoulder, offers a, 

 serious obstacle to progress. (See Plate X, Fig. 2.) The hand intro- 

 duced into the passage detects the head and one forefoot, and further 

 back on the same side of the head the second foot, from which the limb 

 may be traced obliquely across the back of the neck. 



If parturition continues to make progress the displaced foot may 

 bruise and lacerate the vagina. By seizing the limb above the fetlock 

 it may be easily pushed over the head to the proper side, when par- 

 turition will proceed normally. 



FORE-LIMB BENT AT THE KNEE. 



The nose and one fore-foot present, and on examination the knee of 

 the missing fore-limb is found farther back. (Plate X, Fig. 1.) First 

 place a noose each on the presenting pastern and lower jaw, and push 

 back the body of the fcetus with a repeller. while the operator seizing 

 the shank of the bent limb extends it so as to press back the knee 

 and bring forward the fetlock and foot. As progress is made little 

 by little the hand is slid down from the region of the knee to the fet- 

 lock, and finally that is secured and brought up into the passage, 

 when parturition will proceed without hindrance. If both fore-limbs 



