186 THE DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



with displacement or extensive deposit of callus, render 

 parturition dangerous, and will sometimes necessitate the 

 adoption of spaying as a measure of precaution, as has 

 also been done with a pet bitch lined by a too-big dog. 

 However, in the latter case the chances of the progeny 

 not proving too big are generally good enough to render 

 parturition worth risking. In no circumstances more 

 than in canine obstetrics has the practitioner to remember 

 that his duty is to assist nature. The case must be inter- 

 fered with as little as is compatible with thorough exami- 

 nation, and no artificial assistance mast be resorted to 

 prematurely. The smallness of the parts in the patient 

 both render exploration difficult and the use of instru- 

 ments at once difficult and dangerous. The high nervous 

 temperament of the bitch causes severe fever to result 

 from any rough handling of the foetus in its passage, or 

 of the genital canal when thus excited. Exploration 

 must be effected by introduction of the finger, carefully 

 oiled, and it may be determined whether there is any 

 mechanical impediment to the birth of the pups, whether 

 the os uteri has properly relaxed, whether any progress 

 has been made in delivery, and, if there is impediment, 

 its nature may frequently be determined. Sometimes it 

 is necessary to draw off the urine by means of a catheter, 

 and an advantage to administer a clyster. As manipula- 

 tion is liable to remove from the genital passages the 

 viscid matter which normally lubricates them, it is neces- 

 sary in most cases to apply some emollient to the passages 

 and even to inject bland fluids into the uterine cavity. 

 When spasm of the uterus assists to keep the foetus in an 

 unsatisfactory position it is advisable to resort to a bath 

 of about 112° F. This allays irritability and relaxes the 

 parts. At the same time it proves soothing to the bitch, 

 but the condition of the patient while in the bath must 

 be carefully and constantly examined lest, collapse set in, 

 and every care must be exercised to prevent a " chill " 

 subsequent to removal. Parturition may be premature as 

 a result of fright or injury, but aboetion seldom occurs in 

 the bitch, which is a remarkable fact when we take into 



