REPORTS OF CASES. 
493 
vaginal examination I made the diagnosis of the presence of a dead 
foetus. The neck of the uterus was hard and rigid. Taking a piece 
of hose pipe and a funnel, I introduced one end of the rubber into 
the vagina and gave a good thorough washing to that part. Then 
cutting a piece of dry compressed sponge into a wedge shape, I 
introduced it into the os as far as I could. Ordered her fed on 
sloppy food, and gave her a stimulant of gin and milk every four 
hours. 
On the 15th I removed my home-made sponge-tent, and had no 
difficulty in introducing my hand through the os. Another tent 
was cut, larger than the first, and used as before. The contrac¬ 
tions of the womb being very weak, the animal received ergot in 
3 ii doses every four hours. 
On the 16th the introduction of both hands through the os 
was comparatively easy. The contractions were stronger, but I 
thought it not yet advisable to try to remove the foetus. Same 
treatment ordered continued.. 
18th. Strong contractions intermittently appearing. Ergot 
ordered every six hours. 
19th. The os is flabby and dilated to its fullest extent. La¬ 
bor pains quite hard and frequent. Examination revealed a ver- 
tebro-pubic presentation. Cutting an incision through the skin of 
the foetus and pushing it well forward with the handle of a fork 
pressed in it, I began to control the dead mass, getting hold of 
one forward extremity and bringing it outwards and securing it 
with a rope. I then tried to get hold of the head, but failed. 
Various efforts were made to secure it by pushing the foetus for¬ 
ward, but I failed to succeed, as the foetus lay on its near side with 
the head doubled under and between the front extremities. I 
then concluded to cut off the neck as near the body as possible. 
Taking a small steel hook and getting a solid hold through skin 
and muscles, I secured a rope to it, and when good and steady 
traction was put on began to cut from upwards downwards until 
I came to the bones of the neck. Then I passed the blade of my 
knife as far under as I could and cut up, continuing to do so 
until I had separated the bone. After much trouble I succeeded 
in separating the head and neck from the trunk. The head was 
