148 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



my finger in the vagina. I soon detected a relaxation of its 

 walls, and by gradual traction, encouraged only once by a 

 feeble pain, I extracted the whelp, an unnaturally large one. 

 A little brandy was given to the bitch, after which she was 

 rubbed dry, placed in a basket, and made comfortable. In a 

 short time a dose of ergot was administered, the pains 

 returned, and the birth of three more whelps took place 

 without mechanical assistance. 



Mr, Mayhew exhibits a like prejudice to the ergot of rye 

 in promoting uterine contraction, and in this opinion he is 

 not alone. Again, however, I am at variance with him and 

 his disciples. We have had abundant proofs of the value 

 of this agent in parturition, and of the evils of it in pregnant 

 cattle by procuring abortion which could be traced to no 

 other cause, not to doubt its power ; and independent of 

 the evidence of eminent veterinarians and medical men as 

 to its efficacy, I have that of my own tests, which in no 

 single case have been attended with failure. In protracted 

 labour, then, with weak throes, I strongly recommend the 

 ergot with stimulants. 



After parturition the bitch requires but little attention , 

 quietude is generally all that need be observed ; the custom 

 of continually inspecting the offspring and removing the 

 bed is injudicious, the natural instinct of the mother 

 teaches her to do all that is necessary, and however kind 

 our intentions may be, she is jealous of any interference 

 and prefers to be left alone with her family. (See " Influence 

 of Mental Emotion on Canine Lactation.") 



In continuance of the subject, the means used to deliver 

 bitches in unnatural parturition are various. From Mr. 

 Fleming's able work on " Veterinary Obstetrics " I extract 

 the following, and if more information on the subject is 

 required, I refer my readers to the book in question, 



" With regard to the smaller animals, such as the bitch, 

 sow, sheep, and goat, in them we may often use the crochet, 

 the ordinary forceps, or a small-sized model of the human 



