380 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



be as much as possible pulled open with the fingers of 

 the free hand. Mild, soothing, and encouraging words 

 will, during the operation, be of every consequence ; and 

 it is of importance that, in every particular, the animal 

 should be humored to the extent of possibility. Re- 

 straint should be enforced only where absolutely neces- 

 sary ; and when it is so, the creature will strangely com- 

 prehend the reason that compels, and patiently, or at least 

 without resentment, submit to its endurance. A harsh 

 word, however, or a blow, or both together, too fre- 

 quently gratify the impatience of the practitioner, and, 

 at this time, often dispel the throes on which the birth 

 depends. The dog is ever sensitive to correction ; no 

 living being more acutely feels rebuke or praise ; and its 

 excitable nature, lighted up by the pains of labor, can- 

 not then endure unkindness, and should receive our sym- 

 pathy. Good language, no hurry, and a rejection of all 

 violence, will do more for a desperate case than all 

 the drugs in the pharmacy, or all the tact which inge- 

 nuity is possessed of. 



To secure the legs, when they can be felt, Elaine 

 recommends a skein of worsted. I have not found that 

 article of any use whatever. If introduced into the 

 vagina, it soon becomes moist, adheres to the finger, and 

 cannot be detached from it. If, however, applied in a 

 loop or slip-knot round a paw, I have known it cut 

 through the bone ; and its only advantage lies in the 

 fact of its little tendency to come off when once fixed. 

 Even in that respect, however, it sometimes disappoints, 



