146 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



which she frequently needs human assistance, and tha' 

 assistance it has been my pleasure frequently to give. 



Mr. Blaine remarks : " Great numbers of dogs die evet^ 

 year in bringing forth their young. A life of art has brough 

 the human curse upon them, and they seem, in commoi 

 with their female owners, to be doomed to bring forth ir 

 sorrow and pain." 



Certainly, especially in breeds belonging to the pamperec 

 house class, this is frequently the case. The same prO' 

 pensity to fix their affections on animals considerablj 

 disproportionate to themselves in size, appears as pre 

 dominant in the canine as in the human race, and life i; 

 oftentimes the forfeit paid for such injudicious choice. 



The period of pregnancy is from sixty-two to sixty-foui 

 days. The first symptoms of approaching labour arc 

 denoted by frequent urination and faecal evacuation, due tc 

 nervous sympathy ; there, is also extreme restlessness, the 

 bitch seeks solitude, where she will be found continuallj 

 moving her position. The external generative organ; 

 present a full and swollen appearance ; from the vagina 

 there issues a glairy, gelatinous discharge, mingled im- 

 mediately before the pains commence with blood. Al 

 this period the animal should never be interfered with 

 indeed, it is only when it is manifest by protracted straining 

 and gradual prostration that there is an obstruction tc 

 natural parturition, that man should then use his power 

 Many persons are oftentimes too hasty to exhibit theii 

 obstetrical skill, or at all events from a mistaken kindness 

 they interfere far too soon. The time occupied in giving 

 birth to a whelp is frequently very considerable, and the 

 intervals between each one long. Were they not so, the 

 prostration would be so great that before the last birth 

 could take place death from syncope would result ; bul 

 an all-wise and merciful Creator has ordained that even 

 the lowest of His creatures shall not suffer unlimitedly. 



