General Infections of the Genitalia of Sheep and Goats 727 



tive efficiency of the herd ten per cent, or more below the 

 ideal, but arousing no alarm. Notable dystocia had been 

 present, but, in accordance with the general view, was at- 

 tributed to large lambs as compared with the birth passages 

 of the young ewes, instead of being referred, as was proba- 

 bly the fact, to uterine inertia resulting from infection. 

 When the Shropshire rams were placed with the ewes for the 

 second breeding season, each ram faced the task of copu- 

 lating once to several times with each of fifty ewes within a 

 period of twenty-one days. The infection gathered momen- 

 tum rapidly and serious disaster followed. 



As in cattle, so in sheep, there is, so far as known, nothing 

 which can be done to check abortion in pregnant ewes. It 

 can be prevented only by mating males and females which 

 are genitally sound. Secondarily, all those influences of 

 food, water, air and exercise which, properly adjusted, in- 

 sure the highest degree of physical vigor, play an important 

 part in increasing the resistance of the uterus to the infec- 

 tions virtually always present in small degree. 



Rams should be handled with the greatest possible care in 

 order to insure their sexual vigor. Plenty of vigorous exer- 

 cise during the long season of sexual rest is a prime factor 

 in the promotion of physical and sexual vigor and endur- 

 ance. It is to be remembered that an adult breeding male, 

 when at sexual rest, requires very little food and that, un- 

 less vigorous exercise is in some manner provided, he 

 quickly becomes atonic, lethargic and obese. In this state 

 infections present in any organ constantly tend to develop 

 increasing force. When a male so weakened is subjected to 

 severe sexual strain, each coitus intensifies any genital in- 

 fection present and endangers his fertility. Therefore, the 

 two chief precautions to be taken are the enhancing of physi- 

 cal vigor during the period of sexual rest, and a safe limita- 

 tion as to the number of females he is expected to serve. 

 During the rest period the ram should have a moderate ra- 

 tion, for which he should be obliged to travel enough to en- 

 sure vigor. The most practicable plan is to permit the ram 

 to run with wethers, cattle or other animals than ewes dur- 



