82 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



without causing much irritation and straining. The opera- 

 tor may use antiseptics on his hands and arms to cleanse 

 them, and may use moderately strong antiseptic solutions, 

 if desired, about the exterior of the anus and vulva, but 

 these should not, as a rule, be carried on the hand, even in 

 small amount, into the rectum or vagina. Oils and fats 

 make good lubricants, but when used they interfere very 

 seriously with the sense of touch in the vagina, especially 

 when one wishes to palpate for the uterine seal or to deter- 

 mine the character of the mucus within the vagina. Some- 

 times, however, lubrication of the hand with oil or fat is 

 virtually necessary, especially when introducing it through 

 a very narrow vulva. Powdered elm bark suspended in 

 warm water has a lubricant value essentially equal to that 

 of fats, and has the advantage that it is readily washed 

 away with water without the use of soap. Vaseline and 

 other heavy fats make very bad lubricants because of the 

 difficulty of getting rid of them after using. The value of 

 any examination of the genital organs rests absolutely upon 

 the knowledge, skill, and care in every detail. The veteri- 

 narian needs a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the 

 entire genital system. This cannot be had from books or 

 lectures, nor in the anatomical laboratory of a veterinary 

 college. These help form the foundation, but in order to 

 get an accurate sense of the form, size, density, and other 

 attributes of the living organs, the veterinarian needs to 

 examine them promptly after death. The abattoir offers an 

 ideal place for the study of the genitalia of cattle, sheep, and 

 swine, and no veterinarian interested in the diseases of their 

 genital organs should neglect to avail himself of this ideal 

 opportunity for study. Here he can see and handle non- 

 gravid uteri and uteri in every stage of pregnancy, and by 

 approximate measurements may learn to recognize with fair 

 accuracy the duration of pregnancy by the transverse dia- 

 meter of the distended uterus. In the abattoir, the uterine 

 seal, the corpus luteum, cysts, ripe and freshly ruptured 

 ovisacs may be recognized and their character studied by 

 sight and touch. No such opportunity for fundamental 



