PLATE IX.
On the 20th day of May, 1854, I was called to the field of Mr. Sem Schoch, of New Berlin, Union county, Pa., where I found a mare in the act of foaling, in which the foal presented the four feet at once. These cases are of rare occurrence, and it is well for the veterinary Surgeon, or his life would be a brief one. I never injured myself at any work to a greater extent, than I did in treating these cases.
Sometimes the hoofs will only protrude from the entrance, leaving the whole body of the foal in a curved position the head being turned backward, as described in [the foregoing Engraving]. The head should be brought forward, but I always found it impossible in every case of this description, to accomplish this. A cord must be looped around the hind legs, to avoid losing them; then the four legs must be put back again as far as possible, and the foal must be turned, in order to get the head down and the back up.
If an effort was made to extract the foal as it is presented, the back would come in below, and the operation would be impossible; but if it is properly turned, it may be extracted in the same manner, as those which present only the hind feet, as already described. These cases require more aid than any others that I have ever treated. Two or three men should take hold of the mare’s head and neck, to keep her down, otherwise she will plunge about fearfully. One or two men should assist the Surgeon, as the effort required for this operation is so great that one man is soon exhausted.
Two and three hours are often required to accomplish the object in these cases, but I have succeeded in every one of them in preserving the mare alive.
THE COW AND CALF.
