144 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



pelled either to abandon her efforts to relieve, or accept 

 artificial aid ; and the act of parturition is one in which she 

 frequently needs human assistance, and that assistance it has 

 been my pleasure,frequently to give. 



Mr. Blaine remarks : " Great numbers of dogs die every 

 year in bringing forth their young. A life of art has brought 

 the human curse upon them, and they seem, in common with 

 their female owners, to be doomed to bring forth in sorrow 

 and pain." 



Certainly, especially in breeds belonging to the pampered 

 house class, this is frequently the case. The same propensity 

 to fix their affections on animals considerably disproportionate 

 to themselves in size, appears as predominant in the canine 

 as in the human race, and life is oftentimes the forfeit paid for 

 such injudicious choice. 



The period of pregnancy is from sixty-two to sixty-four days. 

 The first symptoms of approaching labor are denoted by fre- 

 quent urination and fsecal evacuation, due to nervous sympathy; 

 there is also extreme restlessness, the bitch seeks solitude, 

 where she will be found continually moving her position. The 

 external generative organs present a full and swollen appear- 

 ance ; from the vagina there issues a glariy, gelatinous dis- 

 charge, mingled immediately before the pains commence with 

 blood. At this period the animal should never be interfered 

 with ; indeed, it is only when it is manifest by protracted 

 straining and gradual prostration that there is an obsti^ugtion 

 to natural parturition, that man should then use his power. 

 Many persons are oftentimes too hasty to exhibit their ob- 

 stetrical skill, or at all events from a mistaken kindness they 

 interfere far too soon. The time occupied in giving birth to 

 a whelp is frequently very considerable, and the intervals 

 between each one long. Were they not so, the prostration 

 would be so great that before the last birth could take place 

 death from syncope would result ; but an all-wise and merciful 

 Creator has ordained that even the lowest of His creatures 

 shall not suffer unlimitedly. 



