DISPLACEMENT OF THE PREGNANT UTERUS 147 



2. The expelling forces are to be assisted by traction. 



To execute the first, the abdomen of the cow, being in a 

 standing posture, is elevated as far as necessary by means of a 

 covered board, handled by two assistants. This method, which 

 may be modified variously, aids us greatly in the attempts to 

 hold the calf. For this purpose a loop is placed around 

 the inferior maxilla and also around the forelegs at the 

 fetlocks. 



Extraction requires great caution, as undue pulling may 

 produce rupture of the uterus. The force exerted by two 

 persons having a good foothold suffices for a total extraction. 

 Should the calf be in a normal presentation, but its relative or 

 absolute size interfere with extraction, embryotomy becomes 

 necessary. 



Many obstetricians follow Schaact and place the cow on 

 her back, a method of value when the calf is beyond reach. 

 This renders the long axis of the pregnant horn almost hori- 

 zontal and in line with the pelvic axis. After the foetus has 

 been placed into a normal position and head and forelegs fixed, 

 extraction may be practiced. 



When extraction takes place in the dorsal position, the 

 rather short duration of parturition and the direction in which 

 traction is exerted must be considered. The cow does not 

 stand the dorsal posture very long, and active traction in this 

 position may injure the sacro-iliac articulation. To prevent 

 such accidents the head and forelegs of the calf only are fixed 

 while the cow is on her back, allowing her to rest on the belly 

 afterwards. Both factors — that is, the expelling pains and the 

 abdominal muscles — act more forcibly with the cow on her 

 abdomen, thus assisting extraction. After-treatment in such 

 animals can usually be omitted ; the process of involution 

 usually takes its course without disturbances. It is advisable 

 not to breed such an animal, as this state becomes worse at 

 each pregnancy. 



With excessive anteversion, it is possible that during labor 

 pains a portion of the uterus in front of the pubis may enter 

 into the lumen of the pregnant horn. This inflexion only 



