Functions of the Generative Organs. 147 



The first throes are generally short and somewhat weak 

 but as labour proceeds they become stronger, longer, and 

 more frequent. 



When we are satisfied the bitch is unable of herself to 

 parturiate, an examination should be carefully made with 

 the finger per vaginam. If a whelp is in the passage, with 

 the head and fore-feet presented, traction should be made 

 on both. If tail first, on the hind feet. If it is a breech- 

 presentation, which rarely happens, the hind leg should be 

 secured and held firmly, while the stern is pushed back. 

 Delivery will usually easily follow. 



In cases where the passage is small, and the parts power- 

 fully contracted, the warm bath is an invaluable aid. Mr, 

 Mayhew, in one of his poetic flights of fancy, strongly 

 condemns this measure. He however appears to have 

 forgotten, in his arguments against it, that the contrac- 

 tions of the uterus, under some circumstances, prove an 

 obstacle to the removal of its contents. Uterine inflam- 

 mation, which he mentions as a consequence of the warm 

 bath, is far more likely to result from neglected and rough 

 assistance than the application of warm water. The 

 probability of the animal not surviving if retained in it 

 for an unlimited period, might reasonably be expected, but 

 with discretion on the part of the surgeon, no evil result 

 need be feared. In fact, my own experience on this point 

 is in exact opposition to the above authors. I select the 

 following from my list in illustration. A small, rough toy 

 terrier, several years old, was brought for my attention in 

 parturition. She had been in labour since the previous 

 day, and it was her first pregnancy. The passage was 

 too small to insert more than the tip of the little finger ; 

 there were no pains, but the diagnostic foetal smell vs/as 

 emitted. After administering a stimulant, I inserted a 

 very small forceps, and succeeded in laying hold of one foot, 

 and subsequently the other, but to no purpose — the whelp 

 was fixed. I then placed the bitch in a warm bath, keeping 



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