CARE OF THE BROOD BITCH. 139 



pared in the preceding weeks. Exercise must usually be 

 gradually diminished. Toward the end of the period 

 some animals are very much disinclined to exercise, and 

 lose flesh in spite of good feeding and the best of care in 

 other respects. In such cases it would be unwise to ex- 

 haust the energies by their undue diversion to the muscles 

 by vigorous exercise. Common sense must dictate. 



The appetite may greatly increase, and the animal's 

 food should be abundant and very nutritious. If she 

 shows any falling off, she must be given cod-liver oil or 

 chemically pure lime phosphate or Parrish's food, espe- 

 cially if the bitch be herself light in bone. The diges- 

 tion must be carefully watched. If the bowels are not 

 regular in their action, if the eyes run, if the tongue be 

 whitish, a change of diet, or possibly a little less for 

 twenty-four hours, will prove helpful. Medicine is to be 

 avoided if possible, and violent purgation is never called 

 for in fact, may cause abortion. 



Ventilation is of importance, as the bitch must pro- 

 vide for the aeration and purification of the blood of the 

 young within her as well as her own. The more she can 

 live out of doors the better. 



A bitch may often with advantage be fed three times 

 a day instead of twice. She may then not become so dis- 

 tended and uncomfortable, since she requires to take less 

 at each meal. 



About the sixth week she should be treated for worms. 

 This is always a matter of safe routine, unless the bitch is 

 unusually delicate, has aborted previously, or for some 

 other special reason. Later, such treatment is not so 

 free from danger; but if there be clear symptoms of 



