^O VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 



Decapitation. 



This is the removal of the- head, which may be 

 performed in the vaginal cavity, or in the uterus, and 

 in various ways. 



First of all, applv a hook, either to the angle of 

 lower jaw, or to one or both of the orbits, and bring 

 the head into the most favorable position ; make a 

 circular incision just in front of the ears, and push 

 back the skin, either with the fingers and a spatula, 

 -or the handle of a scalpel, for one and a half to 

 two inches all round the neck ; cut through the 



Fig. 33. 

 Straight Embryotom. 



-articulation between the atlas and dentata, divide the 

 remaining tissues of the neck, bringing the skin 

 together over the divided structures, using a traction 

 hook to keep them together. With the hook, gentle 

 traction may be applied. 



Another method is by making the incision further 

 back, and dividing the articulation between the second 

 and third, or the third and fourth, cervical vertebrae, 

 treating the divided borders as in the last. 



Another method is by removing the skin entirely 

 from the head, and disarticulating the head at the first 

 -cervical vertebra, bringing the skin together over 

 the divided structures. This is by far the longest 

 ■operation, and the only advantage to be derived from 



