CHAPTER IX. 
FU.XCTIONS OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 
‘CESTRUM. BREEDING. PARTURITION. 
CESTRUM. 
CESTRUM, or the period at which sexual desires commence 
is in the bitch an irregular function. Some animals only 
become so affected once or twice a year, while others doso 
much oftener. A mastiff-bitch belonging to myself, which 
up to a late period in life remained barren, would almost 
at any time allow connection. 
The signs of cestrum are not long manifested before 
attention is attracted to the consequent change of condition 
and manners of the animal. The usually morose bitch of 
savage disposition suddenly becomes gentle and inclined 
to caresses. The presence of a strange dog, to which she 
has hitherto been noted for her antipathy, increases her 
wish to fraternise, no matter of how low degree the animal 
is; every tempting posture will be exhibited, and every 
means exerted to attract his notice and win his affections. 
The generative organs externally are full, vascular and hot, 
a glairy discharge issues from the vaginal orifice, which 
rapidly increases in quantity and gradually changes in 
character, becoming first blood-stained, and eventually 
blood itself under an altered condition. There is also fre- 
quent micturition. The duration of cestrum is usually from 
ten to twenty days. 
During menstruation the animal is generally more or less 
feverish, and it is therefore advisable, particularly in high- 
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