88 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



observe if they are moistened by any exudation, or if 

 they are swollen and excited by the touch. They are 

 separated to observe the color of the lining membrane. 



The mammae are then felt, to know if the animal has 

 ever borne pups, or if any of them are hardened. At 

 the same time the parts are squeezed, to discover whether 

 or not they contain milk. 



Such is a general description of the manner of proceed- 

 ing, but there are many possibilities which the above 

 directions, lengthy and minute as they may read, do not 

 include. Such, for instance, as hernia, and disease of the 

 testicle or scrotum. All, however, it would not be neces- 

 sary to describe at length, and the foregoing instructions 

 will lead the eye to any extraordinary appearances should 

 they exist. The experienced practitioner probably will 

 do less than is here set down, being educated to a promp- 

 titude which enables him to leap as it were at once to 

 those parts which deserve his attention. For such the 

 above is not intended ; but he who has not made the dog 

 his special study, will certainly find his advantage in 

 going through the whole ceremony ; nor will the most 

 experienced practitioner habitually neglect any portion 

 of it, without having cause to lament his inattention. To 

 examine the dog properly, is perhaps even more difficult 

 than to perform the same office upon the horse, and cer- 

 tainly it is a duty which there are few persons qualified 

 to discharge. 



Having spoken of the proper manner of examining the 

 animal, before I proceed to describe its diseases, I shall 



