772 Veterinary Obstetrics 



1. Mutation is usually applicable in those milder cases where 

 the nose is caught against the pubic brim, and the correction of 

 the deviation constitutes the most rational and economic proced- 

 ure. In such cases it is not difficult to repel, as described on 

 page 595. The operator should correct the deviation by insert- 

 ing his hand between the pubic brim and the muzzle of the fetus, 

 and, grasping the latter in the palm of his hand, lift it over the 

 pubic brim and extend it in the pelvis. The case is then to be 

 proceeded with in the ordinary manner of normal parturition. 

 When the head has passed completely down between the legs, 

 correction of the deviation may prove highly difficult or impos- 

 sible. It is essential to so far repel the fetus that the carpal joints 

 pass into the abdomen and permit the limbs to part sufficiently to 

 allow the head to pass up between them and resume its normal 

 position. 



When the fetus has been sufficiently repelled to permit the 

 carpal joints to be flexed and parted, the lower jaw may be corded 

 as described on page 637, grasped with the hand or secured by 

 a hook in the orbit, and lifted upwards between the legs. 



In the smaller animals the correction of the displacement is to 

 be undertaken in the same manner as we have just related for the 

 lateral deviation. 



2. Forced extraction. Tapken strongly advises forced ex- 

 traction in those cases in the mare where the nose of the foal is 

 caught against the pubic brim, if there is any hope that the fetus 

 is alive. He believes that he thereby greatly advances the inter- 

 ests of the foal without materially injuring those of the mother. 

 However, it is very rare that the foal is alive when the veteri- 

 narian reaches the case, and there is rarely, if ever, any reason 

 for precipitancy. 



3. Embryotomy. Where the head is completely deviated 

 downward and the two anterior limbs are closed over above it, 

 and a reasonable effort demonstrates that the replacement of the 

 head is improbable, or if it will apparently prove very difficult 

 and the fetus is dead or comparatively valueless, we should pro- 

 ceed at once with embryotomy. We prefer to remove one ante- 

 rior limb .subcutaneously, according to the technic on page 645, 

 by which process we relieve the incarceration of the head and 

 permit it to be readily brought into position, after which the ex- 

 traction occurs in the ordinary way. 



