CARE OF THE NEW-BORN. 265 



The outlook may be considered favorable if at this time 

 the breasts are large and a fairly good flow of milk has 

 been established. The chances are also increased some- 

 what where puppies have been previously born, for in 

 many instances the quantity of milk is notably greater 

 after the second and third litters ; and it would seem that 

 in certain mothers it grew more abundant after every 

 whelping, up to the fourth or fifth year. 



The kind and amount of food also bear upon this ques- 

 tion, — more heavily even than the age, — and in all cases 

 where the mother has not been wisely and generously fed 

 during gestation a scanty supply of milk is the rule, while 

 in exceptions to it, in which there is an abundance of milk 

 after whelping, its early decline in quantity or quality, and 

 generally both, may be confidently expected. Again, the 

 health of the nursing mother is a matter of infinite im- 

 portance, and the fact need not be urged that if her con- 

 stitution is poor or she is a victim of harassing and 

 debilitating disease her milk supply can never be abundant ; 

 moreover, that what little she has will be vitiated and 

 unwholesome if not absolutely poisonous. 



Summarizing briefly, for the purpose of emphasizing the 

 first essentials brought out in the foregoing : The puppies 

 should be put to the breasts and made to nurse if possible 

 as soon as the whelping is over and the bedding has been 

 changed. Duly considering the facts stated, an estimate 

 should be made of the chances of having a goodly supply 

 of milk, and if they seem poor everything needful should 

 be at once obtained and kept in readiness to nourish arti- 

 ficially as soon as indications for such treatment appear. 



As for signs manifested by little ones that are denied suf- 

 ficient milk, their abdomens instead of being well rounded 

 out and somewhat resistant to pressure are quite flat, the 

 walls being relaxed and flaccid ; they sleep much of the 



