438 DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



turning round and forming a complete circle, so as to 

 penetrate the little pad at the base of the last joint of the 

 toe. In this case they cause swelling, inflammation, and 

 suppuration, accompanied by such intense pain, that in 

 extreme cases it may be necessary to take away the toe 

 of the foot itself, although in general it is sufficient to 

 clip the offending claw. However, to do this nicely, with 

 expedition, and without giving great pain to tho patient, 

 is to be desired. Blaine recommends - small saw, such 

 as is employed to cut off cockj cpurs with ; but the dog 

 must have excessive patience and extraordinary powers 

 of endurance, who could allow this to be moved quickly 

 backwards and forwards on a claw, one end of which 

 rests on an inflamed and highly sensitive surface. Be- 

 sides, it is not one claw we are generally required to 

 remove, but sixteen ; and long before the first had been 

 fairly taken off by the method advised by Blaine, the 

 cries of the poor animal would say, " Hold, enough ! " 

 Moreover, favorites of the class I have mentioned are 

 generally brought by their mistresses, who cannot endure 

 their pets to suffer, and rightly refuse to leave them to 

 the mercy of a veterinary surgeon. This last circum- 

 stance requires a speedier instrument than the one pro- 

 posed by Blaine, to be discovered. The rowelling bis- 

 toury, employed for the horses, answers better than the 

 saw ; but even it occasions so much pain as to cause 

 serious annoyance and obstruction. I have found nothing 

 answer so well as a pair of wire nippers ; which, pro- 

 vided they be in good condition, will take off the whole 



