196 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



and other parts cut through as they are drawn tense, until finally th< 

 whole member has been extracted. Traction on the rope round thi 

 other thigh will now suffice to extract, in the majority of cases, but if i 

 should fail the other limb may be cut off in the same manner, and thei 

 hooks inserted in front of the brim of the pelvis or in the openings ii 

 the bones of its floor (obturator foramina) will give sufficient purchase 

 for extraction. Another method is to insert a knife between the bon( 

 of the rump (sacrum) and the hip bone and sever their connections 

 then cut through the joint (symphysis) between the two hip bones in the 

 median line of the floor of the pelvis, and then with a hook in the open- 

 ing on the pelvic bones (obturator foramen) to drag upon the limb and 

 cut the tense soft parts until the limb is freed and extracted. 



PRESENTATION OF THE BACK. 



In this presentation straining may be active, but after the rupture of 

 the water bags no progress is made, and the hand introduced will 

 recognize the back with its row of spinous processes and the springing 

 ribs at each side pressed against the entrance to the pelvis. (PI. XVII, 

 fig. 6.) The presence or absence of the ribs will show whether it is 

 the region of the chest or the loins. By feeling along the line of spines 

 until the ribs are met with we shall learn that the head lies in that 

 direction. If, on the contrary, we follow the ribs until they disappear, 

 and a blank space is succeeded by hip bones, it shows that we are 

 approaching the tail. The head may be turned upward, downward, 

 to the right side, or to the left. 



The object must be to turn the fetus so that one extremity or the 

 other can enter the passage, and the choice of which end to bring for- 

 ward will depend on various considerations. If one end is much nearer 

 the outlet than the other, that would natural'y be selected for extrac- 

 tion, but if both ends are equidistant the choice would fall on the hind 

 end, as having only the two limbs to deal with, without any risk oi 

 complication from the head. When the head is turned upward and 

 forward it will usually be preferable to bring up the hind limb, since, 

 owing to the drooping of the womb into the abdomen, rotation of the 

 fetus will usually be easier in that direction, and if successful the 

 resulting position will be a natural posterior presentation, with the 

 back of the calf turned toward the rump of the cow. Similarly witl 

 the croup turned upward and forward, that should be pushed on for 

 ward, and if the fore feet and head can be secured it will be a natura 

 anterior presentation, with the back of the calf turned upward toward 

 the rump of the cow. 



The womb should be injected with warm water or oil, and the turn 

 ing of the calf will demand the combined action of the repeller and the 

 hand, but in all such cases the operator has an advantage that the 

 body of the fetus is wholly within the body of the womb, and there 

 fore movable with comparative ease. No part is wedged into the 



