66o Veterinary Obstetrics 



Embryotomy under Special Conditions. 



In the foregoing pages we have described embryotomy as it 

 may be carried out in dystokia, with the fetus presenting under 

 conditions which are more or less subject to classification. These 

 directions constitute a general outline, the principles of which 

 are more or less applicable in all cases. There occur, however, 

 many quite atypical cases to which these general principles must 

 be adapted. 



In the various forms of monstrosities, some plan must be 

 evolved by which the monster may be sufficiently reduced in size 

 to permit of its removal. Double monsters may be divided as 

 nearly as possible, or a portion of each body may be removed, 

 including evisceration, so that the remnants of the more or less 

 double body may be removed together. 



Sometimes other persons have performed partial embryotomy, 

 in a way to greatly embarrass the veterinarian. A limb has been 

 amputated, at such a place that it becomes a positive menace to 

 the patient and interferes with, rather than aids in, its delivery. 

 Such, for example, is the amputation of an anterior limb at the 

 carpus, when the foal is presenting anteriorly or in the trans- 

 verse presentation. In such cases the stump of the limb must 

 not be pushed back into the uterine cavity, but must be ampu- 

 tated higher up, until at least the fore-arm has been removed. 

 We meet with similar mutilations, when the fetus presents pos- 

 teriorly and some portion which has protruded beyond the vulva 

 has been cut away. We have also met with cases in the anterior 

 presentation, with the two hind feet projecting forward and en- 

 gaged in the pelvis, in which detruncation had been performed 

 through the thorax, and jagged bones left, which seriously 

 abraded the soft tissues of the mother. It is absolutely neces- 

 sary in such a case that the spinal column be shortened by the 

 removal of all the dorsal vertebrae and ribs, in order that ver- 

 sion may be accomplished and the remnant converted into the 

 posterior presentation. It is also essential that the spinal column 

 be shortened in order that a flap of the skin and soft tissues may 

 be acquired, which will cover the spinal stump and protect the 

 uterus and vagina from injury. 



Early in our obstetric career we were called to attend a cow 

 which was suffering from dystokia. The presentation had been 



