FOSTER NURSE. 265 



but these are not common casualties, and if they occur more 

 than once are sufficient to induce us to destroy any but a very 

 great favourite. For the first ten days it is only requisite to 

 feed the mother, which should have her food lukewarm till the 

 third day, and to give plenty of clear litter to the whelps. The 

 bitch should be encouraged to come into the yard and empty 

 herself two or three times a day, but it is not requisite to 

 induce her to go out for more than a few minutes. The drain 

 upon the constitution of suckling will keep up the digestive 

 powers for so short a time ; but after the first ten days she 

 should be led out for an hour a day. It is necessary to lead 

 her, because she will seldom leave the whelps so soon with- 

 out compulsion. 



FOSTEE NURSE. 



The greyhound frequently produces a greater number of 

 whelps than she can well rear, and it becomes a question 

 what is to be done in such a- case. Many advise their all being- 

 left with her, believing that she can support them for a week 

 or ten days, that is, till they can lap but if the number exceeds 

 six or seven, I should strongly advise either that the weakly ones 

 be destroyed or that a foster nurse should be procured. I am 

 so convinced of the superiority of those well suckled over the puny 

 whelps which have shared the milk with nine or ten brothers and 

 sisters, that I should not hesitate for a moment to destroy all 



