360 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



and emitting low moans before any aid is offered. Then 

 the little finger, well greased, may be passed gently up 

 the vagina, to learn if anything be within the passage ; 

 and if a pup be felt, instruments, as hereafter described, 

 may be employed; but, on no account, need the finger 

 be pushed beyond the os uteri. If the mouth of the 

 womb be well opened, free, and the passage clear, the 

 attention must be bestowed upon the bitch, and every 

 means employed to revive the strength and bring back 

 the pains. Some unusual circumstance is needed to jus- 

 tify manual interference — such as a pup with its side 

 presented, or the os uteri well expanded, and the head of 

 a dead pup filling up the space. 



To such an extent have I practically followed out the 

 measures here recommended, that under my care the 

 labor-pains of a Scotch terrier ceased without anything 

 being born. The bitch returned to her customary habits, 

 but appeared dull, while a dark discharge was emitted. 

 I told the proprietor the bitch had a dead pup within 

 her, and entreated him to give the animal time. He con- 

 sented to do this ; and on the fourth day from that of the 

 unsuccessful labor, the animal was delivered of a dead 

 pup, with perfect ease. 



The presence of straining alone should never be re- 

 garded as a symptom of pupping being actually at hand. 

 The bitch, like other animals, is subject to spasms, called 

 false labor-pains. These are in appearance highly de- 

 ceptive, for they are generally accompanied with plain- 

 tive cries. To distinguish their true character, let the 



