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Review
REVIEW
REVIEW VETERINARY OBSTETRICS, by Professor Franz Benesch and Professor J. G. Wright. Pp. viii 470, with 244 illustrations. Londan: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox. Price 50S.
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PROFESSOR WRIGHT says in his preface that when Professor Benesch's book was translated and published in this country in 1938 under the title "Veterinary Obstetrics " several useful criticisms were made by those who reviewed it. This is true and probably the most serious criticism that one could make of that book was that those who might use it as a guide would forget or never learn to use their hands, and would resort to embryotomy on almost aU and every occasion. Twelve years' experience has justified this criticism and in the case of our cows one is appalled by the number of occasions on which such serious surgical manreuvres as embryotomy have been resorted to when the intelligent use of the operator's hands, a couple of cords, a little patience and maybe a small pulley would have effected the relief of the mother and given hope of life to the f~tus. This is not a criticism of Professor Benesch's book per se for it was an excellent tome dealing with a specialised section of the obstetrical art, but rather that it stressed the grossly abnormal to such an extent that our young men were liable to forget that the great majority of difficult parturition cases could be resolved by much simpler methods. Now in this book, whilst it includes Professor Benesch's original work, the subject is discussed on much broader lines and it can now rank as a more complete text-book on veterinary obstetrics. It deals with the fretus from its very conception until it is delivered into the world. In the first three chapters one is introduced to the restrous cycle, pregnancy a nd its detection, and parturition-good sound material, for if one is to deal with the abnormal it is very necessary to possess a reasonable understanding of the normal. Following this maternal and fretal dystocia and the causes thereof are discussed at length, and then a chapter is devoted to " The approach to an obstetrical case," probably the most important factor on any occasion when professional aid is required. Chapter I I is devoted to the use and value of epidural anresthesia in the cow a nd mare, and chapter 12 deals with obstetrical equipment. As regards the latter it is pleasing to note that the instruments recommen ded are few and of simple design. Chapters 15 to 2 I deal in the time-honoured method with the delivery of the large fretus and the correction of abnormal postures. These chapters are the best in the book and they are illustrated in such a manner that it is almost unnecessary to read the type. In chapters 22 , 23 and 24 embryotomy is discussed at length. These chapters give a n excellent exposition of the uses of the chain or wire saw embryotome . Cresarian section, which has now become almost a common-
240
THE
BRITISH
VETERINARY
JOURr AL
place operation in veterinary practice in the case of the cow and bitch, iJ discussed in great detail in chapters 28 to 29 and much valuable infonnation is disclosed. The retention of fretal membranes and the intra-uterine retention of the dead fcetus is discussed in considerable detail in chapte,rs 30, 31 and 32. Much information is given on
Publishers' Notices THE BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL, with which is incorporated THE VETERINARY JOURNAL, is published mont hly, and copy for advertisements should be in the hands of the publishers--Bailhere, Tindall and Cox later than the 20th of the preceding month,. if proof is required. Tel.: Temple B'ar 3386.
-~not
Letters for the Journal. literary contributions, reports, notices, books for 'review exchanges, new Illstruments or matenals, and all matter for publication (except adyertlsements) should be addressed to the Editor. Armual Subscription, 40. .
($6 .50 U .S ..... currency, post free.)
REVIEW VETERINARY OBSTETRICS, by Professor Franz Benesch and Professor J. G. Wright. Pp. viii 470, with 244 illustrations. Londan: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox. Price 50S.
+
PROFESSOR WRIGHT says in his preface that when Professor Benesch's book was translated and published in this country in 1938 under the title "Veterinary Obstetrics " several useful criticisms were made by those who reviewed it. This is true and probably the most serious criticism that one could make of that book was that those who might use it as a guide would forget or never learn to use their hands, and would resort to embryotomy on almost aU and every occasion. Twelve years' experience has justified this criticism and in the case of our cows one is appalled by the number of occasions on which such serious surgical manreuvres as embryotomy have been resorted to when the intelligent use of the operator's hands, a couple of cords, a little patience and maybe a small pulley would have effected the relief of the mother and given hope of life to the f~tus. This is not a criticism of Professor Benesch's book per se for it was an excellent tome dealing with a specialised section of the obstetrical art, but rather that it stressed the grossly abnormal to such an extent that our young men were liable to forget that the great majority of difficult parturition cases could be resolved by much simpler methods. Now in this book, whilst it includes Professor Benesch's original work, the subject is discussed on much broader lines and it can now rank as a more complete text-book on veterinary obstetrics. It deals with the fretus from its very conception until it is delivered into the world. In the first three chapters one is introduced to the restrous cycle, pregnancy a nd its detection, and parturition-good sound material, for if one is to deal with the abnormal it is very necessary to possess a reasonable understanding of the normal. Following this maternal and fretal dystocia and the causes thereof are discussed at length, and then a chapter is devoted to " The approach to an obstetrical case," probably the most important factor on any occasion when professional aid is required. Chapter I I is devoted to the use and value of epidural anresthesia in the cow a nd mare, and chapter 12 deals with obstetrical equipment. As regards the latter it is pleasing to note that the instruments recommen ded are few and of simple design. Chapters 15 to 2 I deal in the time-honoured method with the delivery of the large fretus and the correction of abnormal postures. These chapters are the best in the book and they are illustrated in such a manner that it is almost unnecessary to read the type. In chapters 22 , 23 and 24 embryotomy is discussed at length. These chapters give a n excellent exposition of the uses of the chain or wire saw embryotome . Cresarian section, which has now become almost a common-
240
THE
BRITISH
VETERINARY
JOURr AL
place operation in veterinary practice in the case of the cow and bitch, iJ discussed in great detail in chapters 28 to 29 and much valuable infonnation is disclosed. The retention of fretal membranes and the intra-uterine retention of the dead fcetus is discussed in considerable detail in chapte,rs 30, 31 and 32. Much information is given on
Publishers' Notices THE BRITISH VETERINARY JOURNAL, with which is incorporated THE VETERINARY JOURNAL, is published mont hly, and copy for advertisements should be in the hands of the publishers--Bailhere, Tindall and Cox later than the 20th of the preceding month,. if proof is required. Tel.: Temple B'ar 3386.
-~not
Letters for the Journal. literary contributions, reports, notices, books for 'review exchanges, new Illstruments or matenals, and all matter for publication (except adyertlsements) should be addressed to the Editor. Armual Subscription, 40. .
($6 .50 U .S ..... currency, post free.)