EMPHYSEMA OP THE FCETUS 193 



passage and by injecting large quantities of warm water into 

 the uterus to prevent suction. The cervix uteri, when not 

 fully opened, is mechanically dilated by the hand. Extraction 

 may now be practiced. 



The head and fore legs, when occupying the vagina, are 

 secured, the former by hooking the orbital cavity or by loop- 

 ing the neck, the latter by cords above the fetlocks. It is not 

 advisable to loop the inferior maxilla of the calf, as it is easily 

 torn off. In the posterior presentation, both hind legs are 

 guided into the pelvic canal and corded above the fetlocks. 



The force of two men is employed for extraction. Unless 

 putrefaction is too great, and the calf of ordinary size, extrac- 

 tion may succeed. Many veterinarians make numerous in- 

 cisions into the skin of the calf with a sliding bistoury, to 

 diminish the volume of the calf. The result is not satisfactory. 

 In most cases nothing is of any use, the hooks tear out or the 

 shin-bones break, when strong traction is exerted. 



But we must not allow things to reach that point, as the 

 sharp bones of the leg and the broken upper jaw would injure 

 the uterus or vagina. "When decomposition is well advanced, 

 the strength of one man suffices to sever the leg at the point 

 the cords are fastened. Such cases where everything tears 

 which is fixed, are especially discouraging to the beginner, but 

 here again patience will bring about a happy termination. 

 Where extraction is impossible, embryotomy must be per- 

 formed. We must remember at the same time that it is 

 impossible to do a regular embryotomy ; for instance, when we 

 begin with one fore leg and skin it, its removal as a whole is 

 not to be expected, as it frequently separates at the carpus or 

 elbow-joint. In such a case the different bones of that fore leg 

 are to be removed individually before the other fore leg is 

 operated upon. The amputation is readily accomplished. The 

 reduction of emphysematous calves is difficult and tedious 

 work, requiring a great deal of patience. By means of embry- 

 otomy it becomes possible, although requiring often a good 

 deal of time. The results are best when the operation is done 

 subcutaneously and not too much traction practiced, it greatly 



