DOGS I THEIR MANAGEMENT. 373 



The pup must be within the passage ; and not only there, 

 but so there, as to seem impacted, before assistance by 

 means of instruments is necessary. The largest foetus 

 can, in almost every case, proceed thus far ; and where 

 it is of too great a size to come so low, any interference 

 would be desperate ; for then it must be of such a magni- 

 tude as to destroy the probability of delivery being 

 accomplished. 



When the pup has not entered the pelvis, the practi- 

 tioner may be assured the obstacle is not created by the 

 disproportioned size of the young. The labor either has 

 not proceeded far enough, and time is required for its 

 completion ; or the uterus is feeble, and stimulants are 

 wanted to invigorate it. The largest foetus can be moved 

 by the womb ; so the size must be an impediment only 

 to its passage through the vagina. There is therefore 

 no mechanical hindrance before that part has been 

 reached, and no mechanical assistance at an earlier period 

 is imperative. 



When the veterinarian is called to a labor that has 

 already commenced, and perhaps been some time about, 

 he directs his first attention to the orifice. If the peri- 

 neum looks unnaturally distended, so large as to be 

 remarkable, the presence of a pup in the vagina may be 

 concluded ; and here he must know how to act with 

 decision. 



If the throes are on, and strong, though evidence of 

 pain be heard, we must not be too quick to interfere. If 

 there be anything like a bladder protruding from the 



