VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 
461 
one, and a fetid discharge issued from the womb. The calf 
was placed in the position already alluded to, but, for the 
want of room proper for its extraction, I was compelled to 
abandon the operation, and to rely upon other means to 
support the animal until decomposition of the foetus would 
allow of its coming away piecemeal. She died the next day, 
although she had not suffered by treatment, nor exhibited 
any symptoms of pain. After finding the foetus, which was 
not in the least decomposed, nothing further was done, as 
I was not able to excise so far as the shoulder. The state 
of the pulse did not betoken such a formidable state of 
things. I was disappointed in not being able to see the 
case after death, as the carcase was dispatched to the neigh¬ 
bouring kennels before 1 arrived. 
Excepting a case of twin calves (breech presentation), all 
my cases of obstetric practice in this locality have been con¬ 
fined to shoulder presentations with the head backwards, 
and not unfrequently one or both legs also; and from 
the maltreatment, or the causes connected with prema¬ 
ture labour, or both combined, the foetus I have always 
found dead. But, had not such been the case, the manner 
in which they were found, together with the violent contrac¬ 
tions, left little chance, in my opinion, of extracting them 
alive. I have also in all, except the two cases detailed, suc¬ 
ceeded in effecting delivery, and in the majority of cases the 
animals have done well. 
The instruments I use are few and extremely simple. A 
hooked knife, with a hoop for the middle finger, with which 
the integuments are more easily divided than by the scalpel, 
and with greater safety to the operator’s fingers. I wind 
around its blade, to the extent of three fourths its length, 
some stout string, commencing at the heel, and when pro¬ 
perly adjusted it proves a very useful instrument. Two cords 
of a quarter of an inch diameter, gradually thickening to 
five eighths or three quarters, and in length about eight feet, 
prove useful agents in traction, on being attached to the 
fetlock or knee-joints. 
Two hooks, two feet six inches long, having crutch 
or T handles, and divisible for portability into three parts, 
having male and female screws, the whole being formed of 
half-inch round iron, and five eighths at the joints, form 
powerful instruments. With one the neck or jaws may be 
seized, brought up, and retained, until a second is attached. 
When the hook, or last portion is replaced by a straight 
and longer piece of iron, I have a good instrument for 
pushing back the foetus altogether. Another piece, having 
txiii. 53 
