Obstehic Operations 635 



When the fetus presents transversely, with either the dorsal or 

 the ventral surface toward the pelvic inlet, its version must be 

 accomplished by causing one extremity of the fetus to advance 

 and the other to recede. This is caused by exerting traction on one 

 extremity while repelling the other. When the fetus presents 

 transversely it usually does so by the ventral surface, with the 

 head and all feet more or less in reach, and several or all of them 

 requiring attention upon the part of the obstetrist. Assuming 

 that the obstetrist desires to convert a ventral transverse into a 

 posterior presentation, he first identifies the two posterior limbs 

 and attaches cords to these. In the foal he should usually next 

 amputate the two anterior limbs (see Subcutaneous Amputation 

 of the Anterior L,imbs) in order to render the operation easier 

 for the operator and safer for the mare. The amputation is not 

 usually advisable in the cow, and is not always absolutely neces- 

 sary in the mare. 



When the question of amputation of the forelimbs has been 

 decided, and carried out or not as circumstances may dictate, an 

 assistant exerts traction upon the two posterior limbs, while the^ 

 operator applies or directs repulsion upon the sternum or other 

 portion of the head end and pushes it away as far as possible into 

 the uterine cavity, while the posterior end of the fetus is being 

 advanced by the traction upon its hind limbs. While the version 

 is being accomplished the operator should see that the necessary 

 rotation of the fetus on its long axis is also occurring. The 

 required rotation is best attained, in such cases, by what we 

 have described on page 633 as cross traction. When the version 

 has become essentially completed and the rotation accomplished, 

 the extraction of the fetus is continued by means of traction up- 

 on the posterior limbs. 



Should the operator desire to convert a ventral transverse into 

 an anterior presentation, which we never advise, he would secure 

 and apply traction to the two fore limbs and the head, and at the 

 same time repel the posterior limbs as far forward as possible. 



In the dorsal transverse presentation, the version needs be exe- 

 cuted in a manner similar to that designated for the ventral pre- 

 sentation. Here extremities are not available for the exertion 

 of force. If it is desired to convert into a posterior presentation, 

 which we prefer, the head end of the fetus is to be repelled by 

 force applied obliquely forward and toward the head end of the 



