Chapter II 



THE CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF 

 THE GENITAL ORGANS 



A. The Clinical Examination of the Male Genital Organs 



The clinical examination of the genital organs of the stal- 

 lion and the bull is, as a rule, best made with the animal in 

 the standing position after necessary measures have been 

 taken for the safety of the examiner. Most stallions stand 

 well but exceptions are sufficiently numerous to dictate that 

 the animal be securely confined. A few are safe when care- 

 fully held by bridle or halter ; some are controlled by the ap- 

 plication of the twitch or by holding up a fore foot; some 

 are safe only when side lines or breeding hobbles are applied. 

 Even with these the examiner must be on his guard. The 

 side line interferes with examination from that side. If the 

 examination is made from behind, the animal may forcibly 

 lift his hind foot and give the examiner a bad blow with the 

 summit of the os calcis. The stocks make an ideal method 

 for confining, safe alike for examiner and patient. Very 

 refractory animals may need to be cast or placed upon the 

 operating table. 



The bull is to be confined preferably in the stanchion, re- 

 sorting to the use of the leading or nose ring in lieu of the 

 twitch. Sufficient precautions should be taken against 

 crowding and trampling upon the examiner. Kicking with 

 one foot may be conveniently prevented by securing a rope 

 upon one metatarsus, carrying it once around the other meta- 

 tarsus, and having a man hold the free end. The animal can 

 be promptly released if he falls. 



When the animal is properly secured, the testicles of both 

 stallion and bull are best examined from behind because 

 both glands can be viewed simultaneously or palpated from 

 the same point. The smaller ruminants are readily ex- 

 amined standing ; carnivora need to be securely controlled 

 against scratching or biting. 



