FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 151 



head, the fetus is then augmented in size by a quantity equal 

 to their breath, multiplied by their thickness, the whole con- 

 stituting a mass greater than the pelvic cavity will permit to 

 pass through it, so that delivery becomes impossible. 



" Forceps, therefore, in small bitches, increases the diffi- 

 culties of parturition, and those difficulties are all the more 

 embarrassing as the animal is diminutive. Recourse to this 

 instrument is conseqviently contra-indicated, and if delivery is 

 to be eiiected, a means must, be substituted which presents 

 less inconvenience. 



" As a rule, the loss qi one or two puppies is not a matter 

 of much moment, the principal object being to save the mo- 

 ther by bringing the act of parturition to a prompt termina- 

 tion. 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 th3 summit of the head. 



"After much consideration, Defays finally produced an 

 apparatus which fulfils these indications, and, besides its in- 

 genuity, 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 conducts the hoop of the 

 other wire beneath the head behind the jaw. This done, the 

 two wires on each side are twisted by a little machine 

 (Fig. is) composed of a thin iron rod in a handle, the other 

 end" of which is thickened and pierced by holes running 

 nearly parallel to the stalk. Into these holes the two wires 

 of one side are passed ; the machine on each side is pulled 

 up as close as possible to the head of the foetus, and then 



