186 Veterinary Elements. 



FAILURE TO BREED AND SOME OF THE CAUSES. 



Hindrances to reproduction are many in number and 

 varied in their nature, some diseases may render the 

 female passages unfit for the fertilizing element of the 

 male; the indiscreet use of the male may have caused 

 the male fertilizing element to lack vigor or be absent 

 entirely; malformations, or the actions of the animals 

 before and during mating, may also interfere with 

 proper fertilization, thus constituting sterility or bar- 

 renness; it must be understood that the fault is as likely 

 to be in the animals of one sex as of the other. 



Sterility or barrenness in males in the majority of cases 

 is due (1) to lack of exercise, fleshiness and the too fre- 

 quent use of foods of a stimulative or fat forming nature; 

 (2) next to these causes, is overindulgence and mastur- 

 bation, due to ignorance or cupidity of the owner; (3) 

 old age, (4) change of climate; (5) spasm of the urethra, 

 tuberculosis or diseases of a weakening nature, and in 

 (6) stallions, poor handling at the time of mating. The 

 causes being known the cure is evident, no drugs will be 

 of use unless the cause is removed. In addition to the 

 removal of the cause, either (1) or (2), give 



Pyrophosphate of Iron 1 ounces, 



Phosphide of Zinc 48 grains, 



Nux Vomica, powdered 1 ounce, 



mixed and made into twenty-four powders, one to be 

 given in the feed three times daily; if due to cause (2) 

 limit service (see p. 77), or use a shield to be got from 

 dealers in racing harness supplies, and give exercise; 

 acclimation, which requires a period of one year to ac- 



