292 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



night. There may be a very sudden and abundant secre- 

 tion of milk, and this increase in the heat of the body is 

 the outcome of Nature's efforts to adapt to a new condition 

 of things. 



The food should be bland, largely liquid, and the nurs- 

 ing careful. No medicine is required. If the bowels do 

 not move, an enema may be given, or a dose of castor oil, 

 though it is to be remembered that all laxatives tend to 

 diminish the secretion of milk. 



But fever may arise from other causes. The secretion 

 of milk may be arrested, there may be constipation, 

 and if a chill and vomiting, there is ground for misgiv- 

 ings, especially if the discharge from the uterus is foul or 

 totally arrested, and the mental equilibrium much dis- 

 turbed. 



Inflammation of the peritoneum or uterus is to be 

 feared, and, if the labor has been severe or instruments 

 used, septic parturient fever i. e., fever owing to blood- 

 poisoning, which, unfortunately, only too often proves 

 fatal. 



The prompt measures recommended under " metritis " 

 (page 287) must be taken and the puppies removed, as the 

 milk is injurious, and the young only worry the dam. Fo- 

 mentations, sedatives, judicious feeding, quinine, and stimu- 

 lants, with all means possible used to keep the genitals free 

 from the foul discharges are indicated. A turpentine stupe 

 may prove useful applied over the uterus. 



The mammary glands are liable to certain complica- 

 tions. One or more may be swollen, " caked," and ready 

 to inflame. These must be milked out and softened with 

 warm oil, gently and long rubbed in. If this does not suf- 



