390 DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



body ; the inequalities caused by the limbs being detected. 

 After parturition there is generally one thing that may 

 be mistaken, which is the contraction of the body of the 

 uterus. The first pup born occupied that situation, and 

 on its expulsion the part of the womb it filled narrows, 

 becoming thick and somewhat hard. Under the fingers, 

 it conveys the idea of a solid substance, and it may be 

 imagined to be another foetus. It is too frequently seized 

 when the forceps are ignorantly and violently employed. 

 The womb has been repeatedly forcibly draggi d forth, 

 and its integrity destroyed. A mistake of this kind is 

 fatal. The rupture of the uterus is followed by sickness 

 and a cessation of the throes; while the hemorrhage 

 from the laceration induces inflammation that destroys 

 the life ; therefore, when forcible means are determined 

 upon, extreme care is required, and forceps, as a general 

 rule, had better be dispensed with. As regards other 

 means such as the tube and wire, the crotchet, the sup- 

 ports to the abdomen, and the employment of stimu- 

 lants these must be regulated by the circumstances of 

 the case. 



The appearance of the bitch will generally denote 

 when the births are completed. She, after the last of 

 the litter has been born, seems to be much rejoiced, and 

 by her manner indicates she has no more business at pre- 

 sent to transact. She curls herself round, draws her 

 puppies close to her, makes the bed comfortable, sees 

 that all her family are in order, and then composes 

 herself for a comfortable sleep. The meaning of her 



