3i8 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



too much, as the walls are very easily ruptured when de- 

 composition has set in. Higginson's enema, with a long 

 uterine tube, is the best pattern to use, a few syringefuls 

 being inserted, and then ejected by gentle pressure exercised 

 over the abdominal walls, a small quantity ultimately being 

 left for the patient herself to eject or retain as she pleases. 



If the patient survives the fifth day after parturition, there 

 is usually a fair prospect of recovery, although the period of 

 convalescence is often prolonged. Good nursing, good food, 

 and a course of tonics are necessary to complete the cure. 



Treatment of the Mother during and after Difficult 



Labour. 



As the duration of continuous labour pains may be any- 

 thing from a few minutes to twenty-four, or even forty- 

 eight, hours, the mother is, naturally, very liable to become 

 exhausted. In such case she should be fed continually every 

 hour (or in some cases every half-hour) with easily-digested 

 fluid food, such as Brand's Essence, Bovinine, Bovril, beef- 

 tea, Plasmon, milk, Benger's Food, arrowroot, or something 

 which is equally readily assimilated, and at discretion a little 

 brandy or other stimulant may be added. Only a small 

 quantity should be given at a time, as a full stomach would 

 be liable to induce vomiting. For several days after, when 

 all goes on well, the diet should consist mainly of fluids, a 

 bitch with a lot of puppies being fed about every four hours. 

 Meat may be given, but not in any great quantity, the food 

 being confined to those things most likely to increase the 

 secretion of milk. Good nursing is essential throughout, 

 and a warm, dry place should always be chosen for the 

 whelping kennel. 



Treatment of the Puppies or Kittens. 



If the mother is alive and able and willing to rear and look 

 after the young ones, the owner cannot do better than to 

 leave them entirely to her care. If she has too man}- to 



