251 
CATTLE, THETE DISEASES. 
Its exit from the womb, is with its head and fore-feet first, the head be- 
tween the feet and the back upwards. Six unnatural positions are 
enumerated by writers, which demand the assistance of the surgeon. W e 
give them in the order of their frequency, with the appropriate treatment 
they i-equire. 
First — Position with tail first. Press the haunches back with the palm 
of the hand, take hold of the bend of the hough of one leg, pull at it and 
reach the foot ; seize the other foot in the same manner, bring them forth 
and deliver the body. 
Second — Position with fore-feet appearing without the head. Push the 
feet back until the head can be seized either by the jaw or nose, and pull 
it down between the feet. No further aid will be required. This needs 
a long arm, and prompt action between the pains. 
Third Position with belly upward, head over one shoulder, fore-legs 
first. Gently push the calf back between the pains, and bring the head 
down between the legs. 
Fourth Fore-feet first, with head under tho brisket. Push the calf 
back, find the head, and draw it down between the fore-feet. 
Fifth Head alone, or only one fore-foot with it. Push the calf back 
and search for tho fore-fcct, or foot, under the belly ; when found, bring 
forward one at a time, by placing the hand under the knee and using 
gentle pressure. 
Sixth — Belly upwards, the fore-legs folded and against tho mother’s 
back, tho head, side or liind-leg appearing. If the hind-leg appear, put 
it back ; seek for the head, and if possible turn the calf, to bring the 
fore-feet and head to tho mouth. When this fails, throw the cow, put 
her on her back, and with a rope and pulley, or two or three stout assist- 
ants, raise her liind-quarters considerably higher than her shoulders. In 
this position the calf can be easily pushed back in the uterus, so that it can 
be turned and brought to the natural position. 
Many surgeons make it a rule to fasten the part presenting with a cord 
and slip-knot before going in search of the part they desire to bring to 
the mouth. The cord is held by an assistant, and serves as a guide. 
The principal obstetric instrument in the cow is the hook. This is 
made of wrought iron, four inches long, 'with a loop for tho cord at tho 
straight end. When by no other means the calf can be delivered, or 
when removing a dead foetus, this hook is fastened in the socket of an 
eye, under the jaw or in an ear, and by gentle and steady traction the 
resistance is overcome. 
Finally, tho foetus may have to be taken out piece-meal, an operation 
which requires considerable skill on the part of the operator, to avoid 
wounding the womb and vagina wheu he is dissecting the calf. 
