280 BOVINE OBSTBTEICS 



Modus operandi. — After the anterior extremities are born 

 as far as the withers, the skin of the calf's thorax is circuincized 

 15 cm. from the vulva. The subcutaneous connective tissue is 

 now separated by the hand as far as the vulva, going as far as 

 possible in all directions. After this has been accomplished 

 the vertebral knife is introduced under the skin, severing the 

 spinal column exactly behind the last rib. The abdominal 

 muscles are torn with the hand while an assistant extracts the 

 anterior extremities and thorax. Now the abdominal viscera 

 are removed, the skin secured over the stump, twisting a rope 

 tightly around it. It should be long enough so that the stump 

 may be returned at any time into the pelvic canal. 



Next the stump (hind parts) is pushed into the uterus by 

 the hand. This manipulation is greatly assisted by raising 

 the cow behind. After the hind parts have been repelled and 

 rotated, first one hind leg and then the other is searched for 

 and guided into the pelvic canal. Version of parts lying in 

 the uterus is often very difficult, as the pains constantly push 

 the repelled mass against the pelvic inlet, thus rendering 

 impossible the reposition of the hind legs. 



Some operators (Wit) fasten a moderately thick and 

 pointed stick loosely in the skin, placing its point into the ver- 

 tebral canal. After the posterior extremities are repelled, an 

 assistant holds the stick, gently pushing it, until the obstet- 

 rician seizes a hind leg ; this is followed by immediate removal 

 of the stick. When version is already completed, a hind leg 

 may be subcutaneously removed in the manner previously 

 described ; when necessary, one half of the pelvis of the same 

 side, rendering subsequent extraction easy. This method, 

 while frequently employed, has certain disadvantages to be 

 remembered. A calf once decomposing has a tendency to 

 infect the cow when rotated after removing and tieing the skin. 



This danger may be prevented when the operation is per- 

 formed as described under " Complete Embryotomy." When 

 embryotomy has once commenced, it is well to keep out of the 

 uterus as much as possible, avoiding explorations without 

 previously disinfecting the hands and arms. 



