OF BREEDING GENERALLY 645 



to injure the quality of the milk, and must, conse- 

 quently, have a bad effect on the young progeny. 



When the puppies of dogs of the chase are three 

 or four days old, the points of their tails should be 

 twisted off This operation is performed by placing 

 the tail between the fore-finger and thumb ; press the 

 nail of the latter on the point, and twist the tip of the 

 tail gently round, and a slight pull will separate it 

 (but this operation should never be performed on a 

 setter, springer, or cocker) ; after which the dew claws 

 must be taken off with scissors. 



It is necessary to give physic to females when 

 their young ones are removed from them. Three of 

 the following laxative balls, given every alternate day, 

 will have the desired effect : — 



Jalap, in powders . . 20 grains, 

 Calomel .... 4 grains ; 



to be made into a small ball or pill with treacle. But 

 during the process of drying up the milk, as little 

 liquid as possible must be given to her, which should 

 consist entirely of water. Whey is recommended by 

 some veterinarians, as being a less abrupt transition 

 from their former diet, and containing but little 

 nutriment. 



In the event of this not proving effectual, the laxa- 

 tive balls must be continued, and the teats of the 

 animal rubbed tv/ice a day with a composition of 

 goose grease and rum, in equal proportions ; or brandy 

 and salid oil, used in the same way, will have a similar 

 effect. This treatment, continued for three or four 

 days, generally answers the purpose. But if, in spite 

 of strict attention to the above appliances for dispersing 

 the milk, it accumulates in large quantity, which will 

 sometimes be the case, it will be necessary to draw off 



