376 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



from the weakness of the creature. To this its suffer- 

 ings, and the too frequent tediousness of its labor, are to 

 be mostly attributed. When there are evident signs of 

 debility shown by the throes having subsided, and fur- 

 ther evidenced by no symptom of their reappearance 

 being witnessed after three or four hours' watching 

 from a teaspoonful to a table-spoonful of brandy, mixed 

 with sugar and cold water, may be administered ; and in 

 half an hour repeated, if it should have no effect. This 

 I have seldom found to fail, and never have I known it 

 to do injury ; wherefore I prefer it to the ergot of rye, 

 which in my hands has been uncertain and injurious. 

 Patience, however, is more often needed, than stimulants 

 required ; and before the latter are resorted to, the symp- 

 toms of debility ought to be recognised ; for without these 

 be perceived, the passive condition of the uterus de- 

 serves no immediate attention. 



When the throes are on, the efforts may be assisted. 

 This is best done by placing the hands under the abdo- 

 men, and with them making pressure whenever the 

 straining appears. The hands, however, must not be 

 held so long as will let them get hot; for, by commu- 

 nicating warmth, more harm is done than the benefit 

 afforded is likely to compensate. The object in placing 

 the hands under the belly is, to brace and give support 

 to the abdominal muscles ; which, in the dog, are natu- 

 rally weak, and in the bitch during gestation always 

 become attenuated. 



Cold cloths to the abdomen will also in some cases 



