396 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



probable consequence. The animal becomes so much 

 weakened by the continual drain upon her, that the 

 whole system is debilitated, and the brain shares the 

 general disorder. Previous to this being perceptible, the 

 animal may be observed to pant violently when her 

 young are sucking ; and instead of cuddling to them in a 

 manner expressive of her delight, she stretches herself 

 out, and frequently exhibits uneasiness by shifting her 

 position. At length she breaks away from her offspring, 

 which appear to be dissatisfied with her departure. She 

 does not continue quiet after her escape, but seeks ease 

 in vain, has a vacant expression of countenance. Affec- 

 tion, however, impels her to return ; and the same scene 

 is exhibited, the pups seizing upon her, and having no 

 regard for her exhaustion. The little things are hungry, 

 for the source of their nourishment is failing; and thus 

 the demand is the greater, just as the supply becomes 

 the less. 



At length the poor bitch pants, staggers, falls, and 

 writhes in convulsions, which on an average continue 

 about five minutes. The struggle subsides, to leave the 

 animal in a sad state of weakness. The pulse then is 

 quick and feeble ; the pupil of the eye is dilated ; and 

 if the teats be tried, the milk they ought to contain will 

 be found absent. 



For the fit itself little need be done. While they are 

 violent, an injection of ether and laudanum may be 

 thrown up ; and when the consciousness is in some de- 

 gree recovered, a dose of the same, with from a quarter 



