Diseases of the Generative System. 219 



exploration with the forefinger well oiled, will usually 

 suffice to indicate the state of affairs; more than this 

 will often induce severe fever, and interruption to the 

 natural process. Removal of faeces and urine by 

 assisted means, or the use of a warm enema, may 

 conduce to a more favourable state by affording room 

 for the foetus. As a rule, direct interference for the 

 removal of the pups is not called for ; when it otherwise 

 happens, the services of an experienced canine surgeon 

 should be secured, especially when the sufferer is 

 valuable. Abnormal positiofis^ as a rule, occur when the 

 pup approaches the vaginal passage, where its progress is 

 impeded by various causes, but finally yields to the 

 application of various forms of traction. This should be 

 always and only exerted during the natural throes, 

 otherwise the strength of the patient may be exhausted. 

 The presentation of one forefoot only, when the head is 

 properly placed may not prevent delivery, providing 

 good hold is obtained. Unusually large heads sometimes 

 prove insurmountable, and such call for reduction before 

 delivery can be effected. As traction agents, a piece of 

 tape, or small cord, a loop of wire, &c., have 

 frequently done good service in the absence of direct 

 suitable instruments; but the canine surgeori has his 

 repertoire from which he can make useful selection. 



After-treatment of the Patient consists of careful 

 feeding, avoidance of excess or deficiency, good beds, 

 comfortable quarters, &c., above all taking care that the 

 mother has no more pups than she can properly find 

 milk for. Any excess of these should be suckled by a 

 foster-mother. But this requires great care, otherwise 

 the milk so conveyed may contain the seeds of some 

 constitutional taint, by which the hopes of the owner 

 may be grievously frustrated. Should any objection be 

 made by the foster-mother towards the stranger, it is a 

 common practice to remove her own pups temporarily, 

 and present the stranger over which her milk has been 

 sprinkled. It also happens occasionally that the natural 

 mother will devour the foetal membranes or ** cleansing," 

 so-called, and the morbid appetite may also extend to 



