Functions of the Generative Organs. 15% 
head of the foetus a trifle less, it will be seen that birth 
must necessarily be difficult ; and this difficulty will be in- 
creased if the vagina is narrow and rigid. When the forceps. 
is used, the difficulty is further exaggerated ; for when the 
blades are passed on the head, the foetus is then augmented. 
in size by a quantity equal to their breadth, multiplied by 
their thickness, the whole constituting a mass greater 
than the pelvic cavity will permit to pass through it, so- 
that delivery becomes impossible. 
“Forceps, therefore, in small bitches, increase the diffi-. 
culties of parturition, and those difficulties are all the more- 
embarrassing as the animal is diminutive. Recourse to 
this instrument is consequently contra-indicated, and if 
delivery isto be effected, a means must-be substituted which. 
presents less inconvenience. 
“ Asa rule, the loss of one or two puppies is not a matter: 
of much moment, the principal object being to save the- 
mother by bringing the act of parturition to a prompt ter- 
mination. The desideratum is to apply an apparatus which 
will exert its force behind the head of the foetus, as if the: 
sum of expulsive efforts was directed from behind; or as. 
if a new force had been developed in the uterine cavity,. 
which presses directly on the summit of the head. 
“ After much consideration, Defays finally produced an: 
apparatus which fulfils these indications, and, besides its. 
ingenuity, is very simple, and easily applied. It consists. 
merely of two rather fine brass, or very pliable iron, wires 
which can be easily twisted, and are yet strong enough to. 
withstand a moderate amount of strain. The wires should 
be at least sixteen inches in length, and looped in the- 
middle, so as to be applied to the foetus in the following. 
manner: The first finger of the left hand being passed 
into the vagina, serves to guide one of the loops towards. 
the summit of and behind the foetal head, and it then con- 
‘ducts the loop of the other wire beneath the head behind 
the jaw. This done, the two wires on each side are twisted. 
