THE FEMALE GENEEATIVE OEGANS, 455 



g, Foetus on its hack, hind feet presented. — Extract 

 in position. 



h. Foetus on its hack, hind feet inclined forwards. — 

 Endeavour to press the calf downwards and forwards, and 

 then flex the hocks and obtain position {g). If this be 

 not sucessful, amputate at the hip. 



i. Hind feet jprotruded. — Kemove in this position. 



j. Breech presentation ; hind feet ^projecting down- 

 luards and forwards, — A case of great difficulty, there 

 being no room for operations. By means of a special 

 instrument a cord is passed round each thigh, the body 

 of the foetus is then pushed forwards by means of the 

 crutch, and the loop passed down to the fetlocks ; then, 

 the pressure being still made, the feet are drawn by 

 flexure of the hocks and other joints into the passage 

 and removal is effected. 



Certain other presentations have been noted, but the 

 above are the principal. Besides these may be men- 

 tioned some of a special character, due to diseases and 

 irregularities of the calf. 



Hydrocephalus congenitalis has been already noted (see 

 p. 379), as also ascites of the foetus at time of parturition. 

 Each must be treated by the process of tapping. In the 

 latter case, the simplest method will be found to be direct 

 puncture by means of a concealed knife carried in the 

 hand into the uterus. In the former, the operation is 

 performed by means of a perforator, the head being held 

 in position by a hook fixed in the eye, but this is not always 

 necessary. Occasionally the foetus is enormously enlarged 

 by disease, either general emphysema, or the condition 

 known as polysarca or oedema congenitalis. Emphysema 

 generally results from decomposition of a dead foetus, 

 from which the gas must be removed by incisions. 

 Polysarca is an enlarged fatty condition of the foetus 

 not often seen; cedema or anasarca causes premature 

 birth. 



Irregularities of the foetus comprise the various forms 

 of MONSTROSITIES, of which the principal seen in the cow 

 are as follows : 



