Diseases Immediately Connected with Parturition. 165 



should at once seek for the cause, which may frequently be^ 

 discovered in those conditions I have named as influencing 

 the human secretion. 



A regular and healthy supply of milk is most desirable, 

 and therefore comfort and proper management must be 

 observed — in fact, it is most essential that due regard 

 should be paid to the prevention of all emotional disturbance 

 in connection with the nursing of the young. Of course 

 the influence of habitual interference on the part of the 

 master, or other members of ths family, is not so deleterious 

 as the advent of strange intrusion. Independently, how- 

 ever, of the modifying influence of external circumstances, 

 I should still urge the wisdom of quietude and comfort. 



The sensation of fear by the removing of a whelp is 

 not always subdued on its restoration to the mother, but 

 frequently continues to operate in the same direction, par- 

 ticularly with sensitive, timid bitches. 



The first lacteal secretion, termed the " colostrum," which 

 has a purgative effect on the offspring, and whose office is 

 to cleanse the bowels of the meconium which is present at 

 birth, is changed during the first week into milk proper, 

 and therefore it will be readily seen that any action or influ- 

 ence which tends to this necessary alteration must have 

 a serious influence on the condition of the young, for if the 

 colostrum is retained, prolonged relaxation of the bowels 

 must result, and under the effects of "scour" puppies 

 rapidly decline. 



The influence of a disturbing emotion on the intestinal 

 canal or urinary apparatus, is well-known in the human 

 subject, and precisely the same will apply to the lacteal 

 organs. That a diminution of canine infantile mortality 

 will result from due consideration of these remarks is my 

 hope. Whether or not, it should always be remembered 

 that a powerful instinctive desire is present in all 

 animals, especially carnivora, to protect their young, and 

 the less they are meddled with the better. 



