402 DOGS : TIIEIR MANAGEMENT. 



its secretion if it be let alone ; for if dog's milk were 

 valuable, we should in vain use our utmost art to prolong 

 its continuance. When the pups are removed, Nature 

 takes away that which is no longer required ; but if the 

 litter be suddenly separated from the mother, or all the 

 young should be born dead. Nature may not immediately 

 accommodate herself to the circumstances. In such 

 cases, the milk should be withdrawn three times daily ; 

 a dose of opening medicine should be administered, and 

 the food should be spare. A few days' attention will be 

 required ; but the matter, if neglected, causes much suf- 

 fering, and very frequently lays the foundation for future 

 evil. 



Falling of the vagina, or membrane lining the passage 

 to the womb, is sometimes witnessed in animals that are 

 much confined, and consequently of a debilitated habit. 

 Creatures so savage as to be dangerous, and which, there- 

 fore, cannot be properly exercised, are most subject to it ; 

 and I have in the greater number of instances met with 

 it in high-bred bull-bitches of that disposition. 



The reason of this is, the bull-dog ranks as an entirely 

 artificial creation. In proof of this stands the well-known 

 fact, that unless the breed be sedulously kept up, it is 

 apt to degenerate, or to become extinct. Old breeders 

 even now say, the ancient kind of English bull-dog is 

 nowhere to be found. But take another proof. We want 

 no anatomical knowledge or prejudice : in him formation 

 is to be judged. Let the reader look at the head of the 

 animal depicted on page 404. Is not the cranium a 



