THE MARE HER QUALITIES AND TREATMENT. 43 



ries, which prevents them from maturing- healthv germs. 

 Chronic inflammation of the neck of tlie womb and vagina gives 

 rise to secretions which destroy the vitality of the spermatozoon. 

 Tumors in connection with the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, 

 neck of the womb, or any disorder of the uterine functions may 

 disqualify for breeding pui'poses. 



The treiatment of these diseases will be given in the future 

 pages of this work. 



ARTIPICIAL PREGNATION. 



If sterility of the mare or cow be due to sealing of the mouth 

 of the Avomb, the condition can l)e corrected. This is often the 

 cause of sterility. The operator should provide a pail of warm 

 water, carefully heated to the temperature of 103 degrees. In 

 this place a long glass syringe a half inch in diameter. The fever 

 thermometer should be used for taking the temperature of the 

 water. The operator, greasing or oiling his hand, may enter the 

 vulva, pass the hand along the floor of the vagina until he 

 reaches its extremity. Here, just above the floor of the vagina, 

 is a well-marked constriction — the neck of the womb. The fore- 

 finger, previously saturated with belladonna, should now be 

 gently pressed into the os uteri or neck. The manipulations 

 should be carried to the extent of admitting the ends of three 

 fingers. The subject should now l)e allowed to copulate. Imme- 

 diately after its termination, the operator should get his syringe, 

 which has not been allowed to cool, and, entering the vagina, 

 should draw from its floor the elements deposited during" copu- 

 lation. AVithout withdrawing the syringe, he should carry it to 

 the neck of the womb, press the syringe well up in the neck, and 

 inject with considerable force. In some cases it may not be 

 necessary to use the syringe, dilatations of the os uteri being £.11 

 that is necessary, but the neck is often left in such condition that 

 it cannot perform its natural functions, generally necessitating 

 the use of the syringe. 



