386 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



all the symptoms of approaching death were exhibited. 

 I tried to support the system ; but the poor animal died 

 in spite of every attention, and the examination after 

 death showed the womb to be intensely inflamed. 



"It was with some anxiety that I looked for injuries 

 and abrasions, scarcely deeming it possible the violence I 

 had necessarily employed had not lacerated the delicate 

 structure with which the instrument had been in contact. 

 Not a mark which I could attribute to the crotchet was 

 to be discovered. I have seen fearful wounds made by 

 the forceps used to deliver the bitch ; but here, in the 

 most desperate case of the kind which I had ever under- 

 taken, was not a scratch or a bruise to be detected. 



" I have since confirmed the indications of utility which 

 were given by the crotchet on the first occasion of its 

 employment ; and had I not received such proofs in its 

 favor as appeared to be conclusive, I should, perhaps, on 

 the results of a few cases only, have hesitated to introduce 

 it to general notice. Besides the instances before alluded 

 to, I have employed the instrument on four occasions 

 three times in my own practice, and once at the request 

 of a practitioner, whose name it is desired I should con- 

 ceal. Two of the cases were successful, so far as the 

 bitches were concerned ; one, which was evidently sink- 

 ing when brought to me, was delivered of a pup in a 

 decomposed state, and died five hours afterwards, the 

 post-mortem displaying acute peritonitis ; the other, 

 which I attended to yesterday, was alive when I last 

 saw it ; but I am of opinion its hours are numbered. The 

 pulse is hard, but not quick the animal restless and 

 the eye dull : worse symptoms can hardly be present. 

 The poor beast had been left too long unassisted for help 

 of any kind to be of much avail. 



" Of the pups brought forth by the aid of the crotchet, 



