FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 155 



and taking care that its extremity corresponds with the point 

 of the instrument, a great object is gained by securing the 

 pup more firmly ; yet there are 6ther advantages also obtained 

 by this mode of operating. The head of theicetus is generally 

 too large for the vagina, and hence the difficulty of its ex- 

 pulsion ; but by the employment of an instrument which is 

 simultaneously to pass, we appear to be increasing the ob- 

 struction. However, by compressing the head with the end 

 of the finger, it is in some degree forced to conform to the 

 diameter of the passage, which the gelatinous development 

 of the pup at the time of birth readily enables it to do. 

 Moreover, the hazard of injury being done, if the instrument 

 should lose its hold, is guarded against; for, should the. hook 

 slip, the point would be received upon the end of the finger 

 before it could catch the soft parts. However, the operator 

 will feel the hold giving way long before it is entirely lost, 

 and will be enabled to rectify the occurrence in the majority 

 of cases before there is a chance of accident. The finger, 

 therefore becomes a sensible guide to the operator, and by its 

 employment the traction is rendered more firm and steady. 

 But, above all, care should be taken to have the instrument 

 perfectly blunt, and the beaks of the hooks not too long. 

 A sharp point might, at the first glance, seem more likely to 

 answer the purpose in view ; but its employment would be 

 attended with danger, and on being tested it would be found 

 more apt to tear away. In fact, the sharper the point, the 

 less firm would be' the hold, since the substance to be secured 

 is somewhat of a pulpy nature ; whereas, by using as broad 

 and flat a point as possible, the force is exerted on a larger 

 surface, and the grasp is proportionately the more likely to 

 be retained ; object being not to rend the foetus or tear it 

 away, but to gently pull it through the vagina, using only so 

 much violence as the judgment assures us is imperative for 

 the accomplishment of the purpose." 



A few weeks since, I was requested, whilst driving my 

 round in the evening, to attend a fox-terrier bitch, which had 



