276 KENNEL SECRETS. 



In three cases where puppies were dropping off quickly 

 on the third day, he took from free-milking mothers pup- 

 pies of about the same age as those dying and put them 

 to the suspected breasts, and kept them there until the 

 weaning, which they reached in good condition ; while 

 in two other cases he was fortunate enough to be able to 

 try the same experiment on the second day with the same 

 good results. And in this way he narrowed the poisons 

 down to the first day. 



A short time before these experiments were made a 

 well-known and highly intelligent breeder advanced the 

 theory that it was the very first milk that contained the 

 noxious properties, and he advised that the breast-pump 

 be applied the day before whelping and all the milk be 

 drawn out. 



In discussing this treatment shortly afterward the 

 writer said in substance as follows : Were it possible to 

 interpret correctly the wants of a bitch in whelp, to know 

 just what forms of nourishment are essential to her sup- 

 port and to maintain her in the highest state of health, 

 with all her functions unimpaired, then, if consonant with 

 this knowledge proper care was administered, it would 

 seem like an unwarrantable interference to attempt to 

 nurse her artificially previous to whelping. This perfect 

 familiarity with her wants, however, is denied, and doubt- 

 less there is often something wanting in her composition, 

 and its loss prevents her reaching perfection of health. 

 Nor would slight or even considerable deviation from the 

 normal be inconsistent with the outward evidences of 

 health, for functions might be disordered to a consider- 

 able extent and yet the fact remain concealed from even 

 the most careful observer. And did any weakness or dis- 

 order of the system exist the milk would likely be more 

 or less vitiated. But it is not alone sufficient to consider 



