5 77 
DIFFICULT CASE OF PARTURITION IN A 
HEIFER. 
By C. Laycock, V.S., Hirst Courtney, near Selby. 
On the 20th of April, 1855, I was called to a heifer, the 
property of the Misses Schothrope, of the Manor House, 
Temple Hirst. On my arrival I found I had a very difficult 
case of parturition to contend with. The animal was in a 
very delicate state of health, in fact, a walking skeleton, and 
endeavouring to part with a dead calf, the vagina being con- 
tracted so as only to admit of two fingers. My patient being 
so much reduced, I did not think it a proper case to attempt 
the Caesarian operation, but, with the aid of instruments, I 
tried to deliver her by embryotomy, in which I failed. On 
close examination I found the os uteri so small that I could 
not pass anything up it ; I therefore persuaded the owner 
to leave the animal to nature, watching her in case of any 
assistance being required. The parturient pains gradually 
abated, and at length altogether ceased, until the 1st 
February, 1856, when I was again sent for, and found my 
patient much the same as on the 20th of April, 1855, with 
the exception of the foetus being in a putrid state, so much 
so, indeed, as to be almost past approaching. I then again 
attempted to do what I could not accomplish before ; viz., to 
deliver her by embryotomy, and, after much patience and 
perseverance, I effected my object, yet not without encounter- 
ing a great deal of difficulty. In the first place I had to 
break the skull into several pieces, each piece to take away 
separately, and, in fact, every bone of the body, keeping a 
correct account until I got out the whole. With proper care 
and attention, my patient recovered, and was sold to the 
butchers a few days ago, of whom I inquired if anything 
particular was observed in the uterus ? when the party who 
killed her informed me that everything was quite healthy, 
and, apparently, natural. 
XXIX. 
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