Sodomy and Sadism 237 



used, finally awakened in him a desire for the same experi- 

 ence. 



The Occurrence in Le Menil-aux-Cerfs 



When the trauma is induced by less violent means than 

 those already described, the difficulties of diagnosis increase. 

 In a stable of about ten cows, there occurred, within three 

 weeks after a change in caretakers, vaginitis in all the ani- 

 mals. Ten new cows added later soon developed the vagini- 

 tis. The heifers, when they reached sexual maturity, also 

 suffered. With the advent of estrum the vaginitis became 

 worse, and at the same time the disease increased in in- 

 tensity in the cows near the one in estrum, even though cas- 

 trated. The symptoms began with swelling of the perineum, 

 then a discharge of clear, tough mucus, which later became 

 thick and purulent. Once colic followed estrum for several 

 days. The general health, nutrition, and lactation suffered 

 little. Pregnant animals generally did not abort. The local 

 handling had little effect : some cows conceived again ; sev- 

 eral remained sterile and had to be discarded. The owner 

 was compelled to sell the sterile animals for less than the 

 cost of new ones. He was tormented with the fear that they 

 had been inoculated with syphilis. Investigations were 

 finally made by Schwartz of Bern. Four cows were visibly 

 diseased ; all showed colpitis, and two of them severe annular 

 vaginal stricture. Five other cattle offered nothing re- 

 markable. The cows had been bred to two public bulls 

 which had also been used for numerous other cows. Neither 

 the cows nor the bulls suffered from any visible genital dis- 

 ease. The conclusion was finally reached that the injuries 

 were due to rough handling by some evil-disposed person 

 but it appeared very difficult to so much as suspect the cul- 

 prit. Several weeks had elapsed when by accident it was 

 discovered that the caretaker of the cows was the culprit. 

 Aside from this the man was a model : he was a quiet, punc- 

 tual, thorough worker, and, until the accidental revelation, 

 beyond suspicion. The identification of the culprit revealed 



