Obstetric Operations 



637 



the patient is lying upon her right side, the weight of the 

 fetus upon its bent neck will offer a serious mechanical obstacle 

 to the correction of the deviation. In such a case the re- 

 cumbent patient should be turned to her left side. Similar 

 directions apply also to deviations of the limbs, and should con- 

 stantly be borne in mind in all such work. 



Another point of mechanical advantage which should be con- 

 stantly applied is that, if we wish to extend a flexed extremity, 

 we can at least double the eificiency of our efforts by the simul- 

 taneous application of traction upon the distal end of the flexed 



Fig. 107. Schematic Ii,i,ustration of the Extension of a Fore 

 Limb flexed at the Carpus. (Pranck. ) 



extremity and repulsion upon its proximal end or upon the fetal 

 body. For example, in the deviation of the head to the left, if we 

 can apply traction to the head by means of a hook in the orbit, 

 mouth or nose, or by a cord attached to the inferior maxilla, as 

 shown in Fig. 108, and described on page 581, while the body of 

 the fetus is being repelled by force applied to the sternum or base 

 of the neck, the efiiciency of our efforts is very greatly increased. 

 The simultaneous application of these two forces should be the 

 constant aim of the veterinarian. The traction may be applied 

 with hooks or cords ; the repulsion by the operator's hand, or by 

 a repeller in the hands of an assistant. 



In extending a flexed limb, the same general mechanical rules 

 are to be applied. Take for example a fetus presenting anteriorly 

 in the dorso-sacral po-sition, an anterior limb flexed at the carpus. 

 Fig. 107. When the fetus has been repelled, with or without 

 decapitation, and sufficient room for operating obtained, the re- 

 tained foot is corded at the pastern, or as near to that point as is 

 possible, by one of the two methods described on page 579, and 

 the cord is entrusted to an assistant. 



