DISEASES OF THE MALE OKGANS OF GENERATION. 303 



MALADIE DU COIT. 



We have in the lower animals a disease called Maladie dii Coit. 

 It occurs l)oth in the malignant and non-malignant forms. The 

 disease results from the act of copulation, and is similar to syphi- 

 lis in man. It is a contagious disease. The symptoms of the 

 disease in the benign form are similar to those presented at the 

 period of oestrum. They appear in a few days after copulation. 

 The mare strikes the ground with the hind feet, whisks the tail, 

 and urinates frequently in small quantities. A discharge takes 

 place, and is soon followed by ulcers. A peculiar feature in the 

 disease is that the symptoms are not presented in the horse for 

 months, and are then only shown by an odematous engorgement 

 of the sheath. In the malignant form the symptoms in the mare 

 are the same as those of the benign form, only are more severe. 

 Those of the horse are similar also. The disease was first seen 

 in Russia in 1796; since then it has found its way into Africa, 

 America, Egypt, and the majority of the European countries. 



Teeatment. — Turpentine is recommended to be given every 

 other morning in a drench. Arsenic and iron are recommended 

 very highly. Locally, astringents are to be used. The carbolic 

 acid lotion may be used — sulphate of zinc, one ounce; water, one 

 pint. 



CASTRATION. 



The colt should be castrated as soon as the testicle can be 

 easily reached. It may be performed at any ];)eriod of life, but- 

 is attended with less danger in young than in older animals. A 

 period lietween twelve months and two years of age is generally 

 l^referred. I have operated on colts from two weeks up, and my 

 experience has been that the earlier in life it is performed the 

 better. It is less painful to the animal when young, but more 

 troublesome to the operator, the testicle being harder to get 

 hold of. 



