202 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
PRESENTATION OF BREAST AND ABDOMEN.—This is the reverse of the 
back presentation, the foal being extended across in front of the 
pelvic opening, but with the belly turned toward the passages and 
with all four feet engaged in the passage. (Plate XVI, fig. 2.) 
The most promising course is to secure the hind feet with nooses and 
then push the fore feet forward-into the womb. As soon as the fore 
feet are pushed forward clear of the brim of the pelvis, traction 
is made on the hind feet so as to bring the thighs into the passage 
and prevent the reentrance of the fore limbs. If it proves difficult 
to push the fore limbs back, a noose may be passed around the fetlock 
of each and the cord drawn through the eye of a rope carrier, by 
means of which the members may be easily pushed back. 
EMBRYOTOMY. 
Embryotomy consists in the dissection of the fetus, so as to reduce 
its bulk and allow of its exit through the pelvis. The indications for 
its adoption have been furnished in the foregoing pages. The op- 
eration will vary in different cases according to the necessity for the 
removal of one or more parts in order to secure the requisite reduc- 
tion in size. Thus it may be needful to remove head and neck, one 
fore limb or both, one hind limb or both, to remove different parts 
of the trunk, or to remove superfluous (monstrous) parts. Some of 
the simplest operations in embryotomy (incision of the head in 
hydrocephalus, incision of the belly in dropsy) have already been 
described. It remains to notice the more difficult procedures which 
can be best undertaken by the skilled anatomist. 
Amputation of the head.—This is easy when both fore limbs are 
turned back and the head alone has made its exit in part. It is more 
difficult when the head is still retained in the passages or womb, as 
in double-headed monsters. The head is secured by a hook in the 
lower jaw, or in the orbit, or by a halter, and the skin is divided 
circularly around the lower part of the face or at the front of the 
ears, according to the amount of head protruding. Then an incision 
is made backward along the line of the throat, and the skin dissected 
from the neck as far back as possible. Then the muscles and other 
soft parts of the neck are cut across, and the bodies of two vertebree 
(neck bones) are severed by cutting completely across the cartilage 
of the joint. The bulging of the ends of the bones will serve to indi- 
cate the seat of the joint. The head and detached portion of the 
neck may now be removed by steady pulling. If there is still an 
obstacle, the knife may be again used to sever any obstinate con- 
nections. In the case of a double-headed monster, the whole of the 
second neck must be removed with the head. When the head has 
been detached, a rope should be passed through the eyeholes, or 
