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.- Ifa 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 was 
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. Ithen placed the bitch ina warm bath, keeping 
