The Diagnosis of Estrum 1 1 1 



Admitting fully the dangers incurred in the manual and 

 instrumental examination of the genital organs of mares 

 and cows, it nevertheless remains that (1) such examina- 

 tion is not in the ordinary sense necessarily dangerous and 

 (2) the examination is absolutely essential to a safe diag- 

 nosis. Accidental injuries to the genital organs of cows 

 and mares in the course of examination are happily rare in 

 the hands of competent veterinarians. At present there is 

 much activity in the handling of sterility in cows and many 

 veterinarians, some of whom have always blundered at each 

 critical step, have plunged headlong into this field with 

 neither the chart of anatomical knowledge nor the compass 

 of ordinary prudence. Naturally they make many and seri- 

 ous errors and bring undeserved discredit upon one of the 

 most valued fields of veterinary service. The veterinarian 

 who will not give long and conscientious study to the sub- 

 ject, has no moral right to attempt the work. 



The physical examination of the genitalia not only serves 

 the necessary purpose of diagnosing disease but also serves 

 to identify estrum, the period of sexual rest between estrual 

 periods, and pregnancy. 



C. The Diagnosis of Estrum 



The diagnosis of estrum is of great practical importance 

 because in numerous instances the ordinary clinical signs 

 fail unless the veterinarian is able to apply a more technical 

 and accurate method of determination. Without technical 

 examination, the breeder may fail to recognize the condition 

 and hence omit breeding. The cow or heifer commonly re- 

 veals the presence of estrum by bellowing and restlessness, 

 whether in stable or field. In the field or paddock with other 

 cattle, the animal in estrum repeatedly mounts other cattle 

 or stands to be mounted by them. Often there is a dis- 

 charge of thin mucus from the vulva. In many cases cattle 

 are not out in paddock or field daily so that the tendency to 

 mount other cattle is not apparent. Some individuals show 

 little excitement and do not bellow enough to attract atten- 

 tion in the stable. Even when turned daily into the paddock 



