Complete Retention of Anterior Limbs 763 



For the carnivora the position is more favorable for easy dehvery 

 than though the anterior limbs were extended beneath the head. 

 It is only in the larger domestic animals that this position be- 

 comes abnormal and interferes seriously with parturition. 



The diagnosis is comparatively easy. The condition permits 

 the advancement of the head and neck to a further degree than 

 when the limbs are flexed at the carpus. Consequently, as a 

 rule, when the veterinarian is called the head has passed beyond 

 the vulva. Upon examining with the hand, the differentiation 

 between the complete retention of the anterior limbs and their 

 flexion at the carpus is easily made. 



Handling, i. Mutation. The indications are to correct the 

 deviation of the anterior limb or limbs. The fetus must almost 

 always be repelled, page 595. Before this can be accomplished 

 it is best, unless the fetus is living, to decapitate, as described on 

 page 642. With or without decapitation, the repulsion should 

 be made backward and upward, assuming that the fetus has pre- 

 sented in the dorso-sacral position. As the fetus is repelled, the 

 forearm tends to come within reach, so that it may be grasped. 



The beginner especially should bear in mind that, the further 

 upward and backward the fetus is repelled, the nearer the radius 

 approaches to the pubis, and consequently the more readily it is 

 reached. Without repulsion it is frequently quite impossible to 

 reach the radius at all. As repulsion progresses and the radius 

 comes within reach, a cord should be passed around it and a run- 

 ning noose applied as low down toward the carpus as is possible. 

 Drawing from time to time upon the cord with which the limb is 

 secured, the operator should continue the repulsion and, with the 

 aid of the cord and the operator's hand, bring the limb into the 

 position of carpal flexion described in the preceding section. 

 From this point the operation is the same as described under that 

 head. 



2. Forced Extraction has been suggested by some. It is fre- 

 quently practicable in the sheep and goat. In the mare and cow 

 we consider it wholly unwarranted. It is said that some veter- 

 inary obstetrists have succeeded in the forced extraction of the 

 foal or calf in this position, but the records in the cases are not 

 sufiSciently lucid to enable the reader to determine whether they 

 were dealing with' an average sized fetus or with an abortion at 

 a comparatively early period in gestation. When a fetus is not 



