EARLIEST PUPPYHOOD. 287 



ventilated, healthy puppies require but little of the care- 

 takers up to time of weaning. These duties, however, 

 must be faithfully met ; and not the least important is 

 that of lighting. Although puppies are not, like plants, 

 absolutely dependent for their growth upon the rays of 

 the sun, they share with all nature its benign influence, 

 and when kept constantly in places from which it is shut 

 out they never thrive as they ought, and are prone to 

 diseases that go hand in hand with debility. Therefore, 

 by all means let the little ones have their daily "sun- 

 bath ; " and the longer it lasts the better. 



In the way of vermin, fleas and lice are the most con- 

 stant intruders during earliest puppyhood, and while the 

 latter are at all times easily disposed of, in warm weather, 

 certainly, perfect immunity from the former, no matter the 

 protective means applied, must often be impossible. How- 

 ever, temporary relief at least from these most resistant 

 of nuisances can be obtained by energetic treatment, 

 which should be administered as follows : — 



As soon as the mother and puppies are found to be in- 

 fested with fleas they should be removed from their 

 quarters, which, after the bedding has been taken out and 

 burned, should be thoroughly cleaned. The weather being 

 very warm or the heating arrangements such as will in- 

 sure their drying quickly, the floors and walls should be 

 liberally sprinkled or sponged with the tincture of flea 

 powder or the crude carbolic acid solution prepared as ad- 

 vised in the chapter devoted to "Troublesome Insects." 

 If, however, speedy drying is for any reason out of the 

 question a faithful sweeping must suffice in the way of 

 cleaning; after which Persian insect powder — in the dry 

 form — should be freely applied to the ceiling, walls and 

 floors, and thrown into every crack and cranny. 



The mother and her puppies should then be taken to a 



