ON THE BREECH PRESENTATION OF THE FCETUS. 501 
pieces are secured in the mortise by a rivet: they should be move- 
able, and so constructed as to shut close alongside the end of the 
main bar, but should have shoulders to prevent them from opening 
past a right angle. This sketch may give an idea of the instru- 
ment, with one side piece, B, partly closed and the 
other open. The way of using it is as follows : the 
side pieces, B B’, are closed and grasped, along with 
the end of the main bar A, in the hand, and introduced 
into the uterus ; they are then opened, and the cen- 
tral end A introduced into the anus of the foetus; the 
instrument is now given in charge of an assistant, 
who can efficiently force the foetus forwards, at the 
time that another assistant with the cord is pulling 
backward, and while the surgeon, grasping the os cal- 
cis, forces it in a contrary direction to the traction 
of the cord : the limb is thus brought into the proper position easier 
than by any other method with which I am acquainted. 
It is a difficult task to remove the hind extremities from the 
foetus, in consequence of the quantity of muscle which requires 
cutting through, before arriving at the articulation connecting them 
with the trunk, and in consequence of the forcible pressure which 
the foetus exerts on the brim of the pelvis : should the foregoing 
means fail, unless there is some malformation of the foetus, it is. in 
my opinion, better to lay the cow on her back, and to attempt, first, 
to rectify the presentation by availing ourselves of the additional 
advantage thereby afforded, rather than at once seek to remove the 
hind limbs by the knife, which I would not resort to until the ex- 
pedient I have noticed, and other means which might suggest them- 
selves, have failed. When the cow is on her back, the hind legs 
should be well kept up, and backwards, the thighs should not be 
suffered to press on the abdomen: to effect this, they will require 
. to be secured separately from the fore legs, and to be properly fas- 
tened to something above. 
Edinburgh Veterinary College. 
