A very frequent indication that the fœtus suffers from compression of the cord, is a greenish color of the water discharged, owing to the discharge of _Meconium_ from the child's bowels. This is brought about, most probably, by its straining, and its efforts to relieve itself. SHORTNESS OF THE CORD. The cord is sometimes too short, and this may operate very unfavorably in many ways. It may keep the fœtus up in the Womb, and prevent it from descending to the bottom of the Vagina,--it may cause the placenta to be torn away too soon, and so lead to serious flooding,--it may pull down and invert the Womb,--or it may make the labor very tedious, and cause the death of the child. Unfortunately there are but few signs of this accident, even after the rupture of the membranes, and none at all before, that can be depended upon. If the head has descended properly, and the parts be fully relaxed, but still the expulsion is delayed from no obvious cause, it may reasonably be supposed that shortness of the cord exists; and if so there is very soon given a proof of it by a discharge of blood. This is owing either to the breaking of the cord, or to the separation of the placenta, and is frequently the first intimation the assistant has of the accident. All that can be then done is, to conclude the delivery as soon as possible, and in the best way that circumstances will allow. In some cases the cord is not too short absolutely, but is made so by being twined round the body or limbs of the child, which are often _cut off_ by it. M. Tasil saw a case where the cord round the neck had nearly severed the head; and Montgomery gives several instances in which the limbs had been amputated in this way. Two of these are represented below:-- [Illustration: PLATE XLIX. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. _Limbs cut off by the Cord._ Occasionally the cord can be slipped over the head, or limbs, when wound round them, and the strain upon it be thus removed. If this cannot be done however, and the danger increases, relief may be obtained by _cutting the cord_, particularly if it be absolutely short. But this must not be done till everything indicates that the labor will probably soon terminate; and the end connected with the child must be carefully held, or tied.] DESCENT OF OTHER PARTS WITH THE HEAD. _One Arm._--The descent of one arm along with the head may cause some delay and difficulty, but Nature nearly always overcomes the impediment. It is seldom that the arm can be reduced, and therefore but little can be done at first; if the delivery be evidently arrested by it the accoucheur must at last assist in the most feasible manner. Sometimes even it is necessary for him to apply the forceps.