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THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CROTCHET INTO CANINE 
OBSTETRICY; AND ITS SUCCESSFUL USE IN 
SEVERAL CASES OF PARTURITION. 
By Edward Mayhew, M.R.C.V.S., London . 
VETERINARY science has done much towards ameliorating the 
condition of the horse, which appears to be the principal study of 
its members. For the dog, the many have accomplished little, so 
little, that the merit of improving the treatment of that animal when 
suffering under disease, fairly belongs to two individuals — to him 
who singly founded a new branch of science, and to him who by 
his humanity and genius softened and enlarged the views of his 
master. Canine pathology is, unfortunately, not generally under- 
stood by practitioners, who, unprepared for its intricacies, usually 
decline to cope with them. Certainly, the knowledge of the horse 
does not fit the mind for the contemplation of the dog. The animals 
present external differences sufficiently marked ; but in their dis- 
eases they are even more dissimilar. 
It has fallen to my lot to be much employed in that department 
which not a few refuse to engage in ; and in the hope of commu- 
nicating something towards a neglected branch of knowledge, 
I am induced to intrude upon the notice of your readers. 
Cases of parturition in the bitch are those which present the 
greatest difficulties ; nor are these lessened by the eager expecta- 
tions of those who seek our aid in behalf of the animal. The feel- 
ings are appealed to while the mind is perplexed, and the situa- 
tion of the practitioner is rendered doubly distressing by a con- 
viction of the inadequacy of the means at his command. The 
instruments in general use are more likely to injure than to benefit, 
and have, therefore, by me, save on particular occasions, been dis- 
carded. Medicines in such cases do little good ; the after-conse- 
quences being always to be dreaded, even if the immediate action 
does not disappoint. Manual assistance can seldom be of service, 
the smallness of the parts allowing no more than an exploration 
which painfully informs us of the difficulties we have no power to 
overcome. Last, not least, hope in the power of Nature here deserts 
us : the peril on every side is imminent, as the ability to cope with 
it is small. Under such circumstances, perhaps, it is no wonder 
if the majority of our profession refuse to attend such cases, not 
without reason looking upon them as “desperate.” 
My success has not been great, though it in many instances sur- 
passed my expectation. I have been often pleased, but more 
