ISXTERNAL PAEASITES— PABTUKITIOH. lOS 



ilaxvest bugs are aow regarded as belonging to several speciea 

 of Trombidium, and not as was once the case to one species known 

 as Leptus autumnalis. The accompanying illustration (Fig. 19) 

 gives an accurate idea of the mites in both the adult and the larval 

 stages, the former having eight and the latter six legs. These pests 

 burrow into the skin and create a most intolerable itching. They 

 are, however, readily destroyed by dressing the skin with equal 

 parts of olive oU and petroleum, or touching the spot with benzine 

 on a camel-hair pencil. The treatment suggested for mange would 

 also be efficacious. 



FABTUBIENT APOPLEXY,-.See Milk Fbvbe. 



PABTURITION. — The period of gestation in the dog is, 



sixty-three days, and m a majority of cases the bitch pups on the 

 sixty-third day, although that may occur a day or two earlier or 

 later. It is important to keep a register, so that preparation may be 

 made for the event. A quiet, retired place should be selected, with 

 plenty of room for the bitch, and so easily accessible that assistance 

 may be readily given if required. A bed of fresh, soft hay is suit- 

 able, and especially in cold weather. This may be on a boarded 

 floor ; for whatever is put down for a bed the bitch will scrape a nest 

 in it to the solid ground, and if that is damp soil, or cold flags or 

 bricks, the pups would get chilled ; but when the soil is dry, no 

 better foundation for a bed can be found. 



The symptoms of approaching parturition are : Considerable en- 

 largement of the mammae, and of the external organs of generation, 

 with more or less discharge of glairy matter, and frequent urination ; 

 the bitch becomes restless, and moves about from place to place in 

 search of a locality which to her mind is suitable for the nest. 



The veiy best advice I can give to the breeder is, do not interfere. 

 The few cases where it will be absolutely necessary to do so will only 

 add force to the wisdom of the rule. Next, even when help is called 

 for, do not interfere too soon, and, if manual assistance has to be 

 'given, avoid unnecessary force. When labour is protracted, the 

 liquid extract of lye — dose for a 201b. bitch, 10 or 12 drops — given 

 with a little brandy and water, will generally greatly assist the bitch 

 in the delivery of her pups. The cases of greatest d8,nger are where 

 a bitch has been allowed to stray during csstmm, and mated herself 

 with a dog of much larger size than herself. Very finely-bred and 

 highly- pampered bitches often suflFer greatly, and die in the act of 

 giving birth. In healthy parturition even, considerable time is often 

 occupied, the rest between being of great service in supporting the 

 bitch against the prostration consequent on the event. She should 

 not be interfered with in these intervals, and it is foolish to try to 

 force food upon her. 



