PAETIAL EMBRYOTOMY 



273 



The hand is next passed underneath the skin, breaking 

 loose all connective tissue fibres so that the ligamentum nuchse 

 above and the anconei muscles behind can be grasped. To 

 facilitate extraction of the leg, the pectoral muscles and some 

 common muscles around the scapula and the 

 brachial plexus may be cut with the sliding 

 bistoury or finger knife. Of course this is 

 not necessary, but the operation is easily 

 performed with the sliding bistoury under- 

 neath the loose skin. 



Finally a circular incision is made 

 through the skin at the fetlock, the loose 

 skin is pushed up, the loop of the cord 

 placed above the carpus, and the leg ex- 

 tracted by the assistant (fig. 63). 



The main point in this operation is the 

 thorough separation of the skin ; the balance 

 is easy. 



EEMOVAL OF THE HEAD (DECAPITATION). 



It may be done in two ways, subcutane- 

 ously and with an open incision. Decapita- 

 tion with the skin is best done with the 

 chain saw. 



For this purpose the head is secured 

 with a loop around the lower jaw or by 

 means of a hook in each internal canthus of 

 the eye, to prevent its swinging to and fro 

 while sawing. To start the saw well it is 

 advisable to make a small incision behind 

 the ears. Now the saw, which has a cord 

 on each end, is introduced, pressed into the 

 incision, and the operation begins. 



It is well to watch the saw, as it may break when turning 

 over. This operation is quickly done, requiring only a few 

 minutes. This method is disagreeable, as it renders difficult 

 the subcutaneous removal of the neck, as no skin flaps are pre- 



Fig. 63. 



