THE GENERATIVE APPARATUS. 181 



instead of ligaturing the whole organ close to the vulva 

 with one cord, it is better to divide the pedicle into three 

 portions to be tied separately, so that each encloses one 

 third of the mass. The portion of the mass beyond the 

 ligatures may then be immediately excised. The patient 

 is allowed to run at large, given low diet, and emollient 

 fluids injected into the vagina. Recovery takes place 

 very rapidly (Fleming's ' VeterinaryObstetrics '). Trusses 

 and pessaries are not generally of value in canine practice. 

 In France Infibulation, or sewing up the lips of the vulva, is 

 advocated. The vulval opening is liable to lacerations and 

 to tumefactions of the labia from injury or hernia. The 

 clitoris is a flattened tubercle not often the seat of disorder. 

 The passage of the Catheter in the female is not a diffi- 

 cult matter ; the meatus urinarius varies in depth from the 

 external orifice from half an inch to two inches according 

 to the size of the animal. This simple operation proves 

 very useful in most disorders of the genital passages of 

 the bitch ; thus much inconvenience from inability to pass 

 the urine is seen in cases of prolapsus, whether of 

 vagina or uterus, also in cases of polypus or other vaginal 

 tumour. 



Parturition and Other Special Physiological Phe- 

 nomena op the Female. — There are several matters which 

 ought to be remembered about the physiology of the 

 generative system of the bitch. CEstrum varies in the 

 time of its occurrence and its duration in accordance with 

 climate and surroundings, also with the general state of 

 the health. In temperate climates it generally occurs in 

 autumn and spring. The bitch becomes excitable and 

 lively, her teats enlarge slightly, and then the labia and 

 lining membrane of the vulva swell and the latter becomes 

 red from congestion ; a watery discharge from the rima 

 appears, and it subsequently assumes a bloody character. 

 She becomes playful with dogs, treats them most coquet- 

 tishly, and will often exhibit great . cunning .in escaping 

 from restraint. She is not content with a visit from one 

 dog, but will frequently receive attentions from several of 

 her admirers, and mix the breed in a most unsatisfactory 



