146 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE -DOG. 



and bj' gradual traction, encouraged only once by a feeble 

 pain, I extracted the whelp, an unnaturally large one. A 

 little brandy was given to the bitch, after which she was 

 rubbed dry, placed in a basket, and made comfortable. In a 

 short time a dose of ergot was administered, the pains return- 

 ed and the birth of three more whelps took place without 

 mechanical assistance. 



Mr. Mayhew exhibits a like prejudice to the ergot of rye 

 in promoting uterine contraction, and in this opinion he is 

 not alone. Again, however, I am at variance with him and 

 his disciples. We have had abundant proofs of the value. of 

 this agent in parturition, and of the evils of it in pregnant 

 cattle by procuring abortion which could be traced to no other 

 cause, not to doubt its power ; and independent of the evi- 

 dence of eminent veterinarians and medical men as to its effi- 

 cacy, I have that of my own tests, which in no single case have 

 been attended with failure. In protracted labor, then, with 

 weak throes, I strongly recommend the ergot with stimulants. 



After parturition the bitch requires but little attention ; 

 quietude is generally all that need be observed ; the custom 

 of continually inspecting the offspritig and removing the bed 

 is injudicious, the natural instinct of the mother teaches her 

 to do all that is necessary, and however kind our intentions 

 may be, she is jealous of any interference, and prefers to be 

 left alone with her family. 



In continuance of the subject, the means used to deliver 

 bitches in unnatural parturition are various. From Mr. 

 Fleming's able work on "Veterinary obstetrics" I extract the 

 following, and if more information on the subject is required, 

 I refer my readers to the book in question. 



" With regard to the smaller animals, such as the bitch, 

 sow, sheep, and goat, in them we may often use the crotchet, 

 the ordinary forceps, or a small-sized model of the human 

 forceps with advantage. Various patterns are in use, some 

 of them fenestrated, others not ; some resemble polypus- 

 forceps, while others again are grooved, serrated, or toothed 



