348 DISEASES OF DOGS. 



fere, the first tiling that should be done is to examine 

 whether the pelvis is in any way occupied ; if no pup 

 is discovered in the course of being born, the mother 

 must be left undisturbed for a few hours longer. If 

 on a second examination no progress has been made, 

 a stimulant should be given ; and the best stimulant on 

 these occasions is the Secale cornutum, or ergot of rye. 



RECIPE (No. 17). 



Ergot of Rye Mixture. 



Take — Ergot of rye, a scruple ; pour on it 

 Boiling water, one ounce ; 

 Let it infuse for twenty minutes ; then add, 

 Brandy, half an ounce ; 

 Sugar, two or three lumps. 



A very large dog may take the half of the above 

 at one dose ; and the remaining portion may be given 

 twenty minutes afterwards, if the first produces no 

 decided effect. For a very small dog, two teaspoon- 

 fuls will be sufficient. 



As soon as the puppy is in the pelvic cavity, and a 

 portion of it presents from the orifice ; the position of 

 the birth may be ascertained. If it is a natural pre- 

 sentation, time may be allowed; but should the off- 

 spring be dead, gentle traction may be made to re- 

 move the body. Yet it will never be prudent to exert 

 much force ; for there will then be a hazard of break- 

 ing the puppy, and that being done, the life of the 

 mother is irrecoverably lost. 



If the hinder legs present, there will be somewhat 

 more difficulty. The puppy must be partly drawn ; 

 but only sufficient to assist the efforts of the mother, 



