CHAPTER IV 

 GENITAL APPARATUS. 



Semiology. The examination of the genital apparatus properly so 

 called is easy in animals of large size, whether male or female, but is 

 more delicate and difficult, and is sometimes partially impossible, in 

 small creatures. 



In male animals it comprises the examination of the testicles by 

 inspection and palpation, of the vas deferens, and of the intra-pelvic 

 genital organs (vesiculse seminales, prostate, etc.). 



Inspection and palpation of the scrotum reveals hypertrophy, 

 atrophy, oedematous or sanguineous infiltrations, inflammation of the 

 tunica vaginalis, and tumours of the testicle. Intra-pelvic examina- 

 tion partly covers the same ground as examination of the pelvic 

 portion of the urethra, and, provided the anatomical relationships of 

 the different organs encountered are known, there is no difficulty in 

 detecting the position of possible lesions (Fig. 226). 



In small male animals, such as he-goats and rams, rectal exploration 

 is confined to the use of one or two fingers. 



In female animals examination comprises inspection, intra-vaginal 

 examination, and rectal examination. 



Inspection reveals lesions of the vulva and clitoris. 



Vaginal examination with the hand establishes the condition of the 

 walls of the vagina, the neck of the uterus, and the vaginal culs-de-sac. 



If a lesion is detected, its character can easily be ascertained by 

 means of a speculum, which exposes the base of the vagina, the promi- 

 nence formed by the uterus, or any particular part of the vagina itself. 

 Examination with the speculum is the only useful method in young 

 female animals, heifers in particular, on account of the narrowness 

 of the genital tract. 



In small female animals, such as she-goats, ewes and sows, the 

 fingers alone can be employed. 



As regards examination of the uterus, the direct method gives little 

 exact information, and examination by the rectum is to be preferred. 

 By passing the arm into the rectum and gently pressing downwards 

 towards the base of the pelvis, the hand can be brought in contact 



