186 BOVIKE OBSTETRICS 



the animal be still able to stand up on our arrival, the prog- 

 nosis is more favorable. 



Treatment. — With the foetus in the anterior presentation, 

 we first acquaint ourselves with the position of the calf and 

 conditions of the pelvic inlet. Head and fore legs are corded, 

 the former by means of loop around the lower jaw, or a cord 

 around the head, respectively, an obstetrical head-stall ; the 

 latter by loops above the fetlocks. The cow is fixed by placing 

 a surcingle around the buttocks, securing it to the posts on 

 either side of a stall. The dutch collar of a horse may be used 

 to good advantage. The breast strap is put around the hind 

 legs about 8 inches below the vulva, and. the neck strap over the 

 lumbar region, while the traces are either fastened or held 

 otherwise. In this manner the cow is not displaced. 



It has happened to me repeatedly that a cow was drawn 

 out of the stall when traction was exerted by two men. This 

 necessitates the removal of the cow to her first position before 

 the obstetrical operation can be continued. Such an interrup- 

 tion is disagreeable to the obstetrician, and may be dangerous 

 to the mother. 



After placing the cow upon the right side and taking up 

 the cords fixed to the head and fore legs of the calf, alternate 

 traction is exerted upon the anterior limbs to reduce the 

 bicostal diameter of the thorax shoulders, by the thickness of 

 one shoulder. After the fore legs have been advanced to the 

 extent that the chin occupies the middle of the metacarpal 

 bones, traction is applied to the head. Each fore leg and head 

 is turned over to one man. At the same time the force 

 exhibited by three men must never be exceeded. 



Care, of course, must be taken that the feet of the three 

 men are braced, to prevent slipping and thus jerking the ani- 

 mal. Traction, moderate at first, is gradually increased, but 

 must be uniform at all times. 



Before extraction is begun lubrication of the parturient 

 passages is necessary, and no doubt should exist that the cer- 

 vix uteri is completely dilated. 



Such extraction must be practiced with a great deal of 



