384 DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



accomplished. There will, however, then only be a dis- 

 tant chance of success ; and where these indications have 

 been remarked, the life of the mother has generally been 

 lost. If a portion of the litter has been born, and, on 

 the appearance of the symptoms just described, the pups 

 refuse to suck, and when placed to the teats turn from 

 them, the termination will be fatal. The milk seems to 

 have lost its inviting properties, and to be rendered dis- 

 gusting by the approach of death ; and the sign is as 

 conclusive as the departure of vermin from the carcase 

 of an animal. 



Forcible delivery is to be accomplished by every 

 means in our power ; for it is undertaken only when hope 

 by ordinary process is despaired of. Forceps of any 

 kind, however, are to be employed with extreme care. 

 These instruments are always dangerous in the bitch ; as 

 we cannot see, and can but imperfectly feel, so there is 

 little guide to their proper use. The crochet, a blunt 

 hook and for the dog it can hardly be too blunt is to 

 be preferred. As I have before submitted to the public 

 my opinion of this instrument, I here extract from a 

 paper which appeared in The Veterinarian for February, 

 1847 : 



THE CROCHET. 



" I was obliged to meet my pupils in the evening, and 

 was not sorry to leave a case which had now, in my 



