VETERINARY OBSTETRICY. 
21 
This case should be a warning to us to ascertain, ere we leave, 
whether there is another calf in the uterus, since we may be laughed 
at by others that might be called in after us, or we might be miles 
off in a short time, and the cow at last lost for want of assistance. 
Cross Birth; Back presenting. 
What is called a “ cross birth” is where the back of the foetus 
is presented without the head or any of the legs making their ap- 
pearance. I am inclined to think that it does not often take place, 
as it has but rarely occurred in my practice ; but whenever it does, 
we must ascertain whether the head and fore legs, or the hind 
parts and extremities can be laid hold of best, so as to extract the 
foetus with the greatest ease, and with the least danger to the 
parent. Whichever way we decide upon, we must fasten cords 
to the feet, & c. for our assistants to pull at, while we turn and 
force back the opposite extremities with one or both of our hands, 
and then extract as in ordinary cases. 
It was stated in Bell's Life, April 2, 1843, that the celebrated 
mare, the Queen of Trumps, the property of the Hon. E. M. L. 
Mostyn, and winner of the Oaks and St. Leger, died at York, on 
the previous 28th of March, in giving birth to a filly foal, in con- 
sequence of there being a cross birth ; and it was said, that no 
human aid could have saved her ! 
LETTER TO THE EDITORS, 
ON PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AMONG CATTLE — VETERINARY 
OBSTETRICY — UNLICENSED PRACTITIONERS, &C. 
From James H. Shenton 
Gentlemen, — I n reading the last number of your interesting and 
invaluable Journal, I was much interested in the account of cases, 
and remarks on them, by Mr. Cartwright, of Whitchurch. I have 
myself witnessed, in the course of my practice, a great number of 
similar cases, arising either from the ignorance of the owners, the 
officiousness of servants or neighbours, or that of unskilful drunken 
empirics. I have not only often seen the direful and withering 
effects of miserable ignorance in obstetric cases, but in many other 
cases of various diseases : scarcely a day passes hut I see less or 
