2i6 AMPUTATION OF THE LIMBS AT THE TARSUS. 



ilium I at C in such a manner that any safe degree of trac- 

 tion fails to dislodge it. 



Technic. Remove one anterior limb subcutaneously, 

 (49), and eviscerate, (55), through an opening made by 

 the- removal of two or three of the exposed ribs. Introduce 

 the chisel through this opening and carry it back with the 

 hand, placing it against the shaft of the fetal ilium, I', have 

 an assistant drive it through the shaft from before to behind 

 and then withdrawing the chisel replace it against the pubic 

 brim either at the symphysis pubis or opposite the foramen 

 ovale, and drive it through the pubis and ischium at either of 

 these points. The coxo-femoral articulation is thus detached 

 and isolated so that the entire limb "may drop backward 

 beyond its fellow, the remnant of the severed ilium, I', can 

 drop downward or move in any direction and the entire pel- 

 vis thus loses its rigidity and undergoes great diminution in 

 size so that it can readily be withdrawn. 



53. AMPUTATION OF THE I.IMBS AT THE TARSUS. 

 Plate XXXVII 



Object. It occasionally happens in the mare, far more 

 rarely in the cow in the posterior presentation with the hind 

 limbs retained at the hock that owing to the unusual size of 

 the fetus or its having been dead for some time, dry and 

 emphysematous, that the deviation can not be overcome or 

 its correction would entail an unnecessary amount of labor. 

 In these cases it is frequently easier for the obstetrist and 

 safer for the mother to amputate the limb at the tarsus. 



Technic. Pass a cord around the leg above the tarsus 

 as indicated in Plate XXXVII and have an assistant hold 

 the leg steady by gentle traction. Introduce the chisel 

 carefully guarded in the palm of the hand, and place it 

 against the lower part of the tarsus as shown between T, T. 

 The chisel should be placed as nearly perpendicular as pos- 



