236 KENNEL SECRETS. 



a month, when four died from excessive feebleness ; and 

 the sixth was killed two weeks later. The mother in the 

 mean time had become very lean but was tolerably lively 

 and had a fair appetite. She was killed one hundred and 

 twenty-six days after the beginning of the experiment, 

 and it was then found that the bones of her spine and 

 pelvis were softened — a condition known to physicians 

 as osteomalacia. 



The results of this experiment are highly interesting 

 and instructive, showing clearly as they do that the nurs- 

 ing mother sends out to her young, in her milk, a part of 

 her store of lime, which is absolutely essential to their 

 welfare. They show, also, that if proper food is denied 

 her when in whelp and while nursing, not only her pup- 

 pies but she as well must suffer greatly in consequence. 

 And in the light of these facts is uncovered one of the 

 most potential causes of rickets so common among large 

 breeds. 



It may therefore be accepted that bitches in pup must 

 have goodly quantities of meat ; moreover, that while 

 cooking may be the rule if the broth is utilized, it is a 

 wise plan to give this food occasionally in the raw state. 



In advising this the writer is fully alive to the fact that 

 he is running counter to a strong prejudice that exists 

 among no small number of breeders, who maintain that 

 raw meat will cause a loss of the puppies. Such theory, 

 however, is opposed to reason ; furthermore, experience 

 long ago showed its absurdity. And another product of 

 experience is, that to withhold raw meat entirely must 

 greatly intensify the danger of a loss of the offspring 

 through the puppy-eating habit. 



No lengthy consideration of the relative proportions of 

 meat and vegetable and starchy foods required by bitches 

 in pup will be necessary here, for the laws by which they 



