294 CANINE OBSTETRICS. 



a skein of worsted ought, if possible, to be fastened around it ; and, 

 during the throes or labour pains of the animal, it should be gently 

 drawn away. If it cannot be reached in this way, a little longer 

 time may be allowed ; but, after all, should it not advance, a pair 

 of forceps may be used to assist the extraction. It is a good prac- 

 tice to give a laxative as soon as any symptoms of pupping appear; 

 and, when delivery seems much delayed, it will be prudent, in all 

 cases, to bathe in warm water ; occasional doses of laudanum united 

 with aether must also be given if any convulsive appearances come 

 on. Should all these means fail, try the eflPect of the Ergot of Rye, 

 which has succeeded in forcing the uterus to contract, when all 

 other means have failed. To a large bitch in difficult pupping 

 a scruple has been infused in hot water ; of which infusion, a third 

 was given by the mouth every second hour, in conjunction with an 

 injection of soap and water into the uterus. The Ergot of Rye 

 also appears to be equally active in the different cases of parturition 

 in other animals, and in the human female also. The patience of 

 bitches in labour is extreme, and their distress, if not relieved, is 

 most striking and affecting, Their look is at such times parti- 

 cularly expressive and apparently imploring ; this new forcer is 

 therefore worthy of a full trial. 



A wish to relieve them has very frequently engaged me in 

 performing the CaBsarean operation ; but I never succeeded in any 

 one instance. 1 attribute this failure, however, principally to the 

 delay in the time, which humanity suggested ; and not to the 

 nature of the operation altogether, which is, however, sufficiently 

 dangerous. Whenever pupping is protracted considerably the 

 young are found dead ; and in those cases where they have been 

 so for some time, from the effect of accident, they become the sure 

 occasions of a protracted labour. The dead foetus often comes 

 away piecemeal, sometimes many days after the natural time, and 

 occasions a very foetid ejection until the parts have reinstated 

 themselves. A very mild solution of the chloride of soda, thrown 

 up the vagina, will sweeten the discharge, and hasten the expul- 

 sion of the remaining young. If the retention should be continued 



