SUBCUTANEOUS AMPUTATION OF ANTERIOR LIMBS 179 



where deviation of the head cannot be corrected or is not so 

 readily overcome as is the amputation of the limb. 



Technic. Herbivorous animals being devoid of a clavicle, 

 the anterior limb is attached to the thorax by means of the 

 skin and muscles only and is therefore comparatively easily 

 amputated. Attach a cord to the pastern of the limb, the 

 shoulder of which lies most exposed or is most readily 

 reached and have one or two assistants exert traction on it 

 and draw it out as far as possible with safety to the mother. 

 Insert one hand armed with the hooked embryotomy knife 

 up to the top of the scapula or as nearly thereto as can be 

 reached, the knife being well guarded in the palm of the 

 hand which rests against the liinb of the fetus ; press the 

 knife into the skin and subcutaneous tissues and drawing 

 the hand downward slit them freely and deeply from the 

 top of the scapula down to the pastern. Lay aside the 

 kuife and force the fingers between the skin and subjacent 

 tissues of the limb and while an assistant maintains gentle 

 traction, separate the skin upward by forcing the hand or 

 the ball of the thumb through the loose connective tissne 

 until the upper region of the scapula is reached. The sepa- 

 ration of the skin from the subjacent parts may require at 

 certain points, like the olecranon or carpus, the aid of the 

 chisel or knife to divide firm bands of connective tissue. 

 The separation of the skin from the subjacent parts has 

 removed the chief source of resistance to the tearing of the 

 limb away from the body. The skin is not to be severed 

 from the foot until it has been completely detached from the 

 leg and shoulder. The attachment of the skin to the foot 

 gives it a neccessary fixation enabling the operator to detach 

 it from the leg and shoulder by forcing the hand or other 

 object upward between the skin and subjacent muscles. 

 The next most important obstacle is the pectoral muscles 

 which should be torn asunder by separating them into small 

 bundles and tearing them through with the fingers between 

 the sternum and limb, or the process may be aided by in- 



