Bicornual Pregnancy 721 



Prognosis. The prognosis in this condition is always highly 

 unfavorable. We have no record of any case in which the life 

 of either mother or fetus has been saved. Tapken says, "De- 

 livery is always difficult. If no part of the fetus can be reached, 

 delivery is evidently impossible. In each of the four cases which 

 I append, the result was fatal for both mother and foal, and such 

 was also the result in another case, which, owing to oversight, 

 was not included in the foregoing table. In the latter case of 

 dystokia, two experienced colleagues had already tried in vain to 

 deliver the mare before I had been called. It was barely possible 

 to touch the metacarpus of one leg with the finger tips, when 

 the arm had been introduced completefy to the shoulder. ' ' The 

 case of Pauli also ended fatally for both mare and foal, despite 

 the efforts of three veterinarians. 



In our own experience we have been equally unsuccessful, and 

 have encountered great and even insurmountable difficulties in 

 delivery. In one of our cases the mare survived the operation 

 some days, but finally succumbed to metritis. In that one case 

 it would seem possible that, had we had a better understanding 

 of the conditions and given closer attention afterward, she might 

 have been saved. We would not, therefore, advise the veterin- 

 ary obstetrist to refrain from attempting to deliver a mare in this 

 condition. However, in undertaking it, it would be well in our 

 judgment to advise the owner of the highly unfavorable prog- 

 nosis of the case, so that he may be forewarned of the probable 

 outcome. 



Method of Handling. Each case must be dealt with, in 

 detail, according to circumstances. In general, it is well to se- 

 cure any of the extremities which may lie within reach and cord 

 them, so that force may be exerted upon them at any time that, 

 it may become desirable. If all four feet can be reached, it is 

 usually advisable to amputate the two anterior limbs, either 

 subcutaneously or at the humero-radial articulation, and then 

 attempt to convert the presentation into a posterior one by 

 drawing carefully upon the hind legs. 



The position of the animal is important. Fig. 121 suggests 



that, if we turn the mare upon her back, the version of the uterus 



will tend to disappear and the fetus will be brought nearer to the 



operator, so that parts which previously had not been in reach 



46 



