Infections of the Gravid Uterus 793 



or cure of the vice attending the malady, in order to restore 

 the work value of the animal. Since nymphomania in the 

 mare is chiefly observed in those not used or desired for 

 breeding, this tendency in handling is natural and sufficient. 

 It is only when involving animals desired for breeding pur- 

 poses that cure of the disease is desired. When the aim to 

 restore fertility is frustrated by insurmountable obstacles, 

 the duty of the veterinarian remains to preserve to the 

 owner, as far as possible, any work value which the animal 

 may possess when relieved of the nymphomania. 



Ovariotomy. Oophorectomy. When nymphomania re- 

 ferable to ovarian disease is present and can not otherwise 

 be effectively overcome, castration is indicated. 



Since in mares not desired for breeding purposes, the cure 

 of ovarial nymphomania otherwise than by castration is all 

 too liable to prove ephemeral and unreliable, castration at 

 once presents itself as the most reliable and enduring rem- 

 edy. The operation is comparatively simple and not highly 

 dangerous. It has been fully described on page 263. 



B. Intra-Uterine Infections and Infections of the Embryo 



1. Infections of the Gravid Uterus 



The infections of the gravid uterus are not generally ob- 

 served directly. Their presence is revealed almost solely at 

 the termination of pregnancy, at which time the ravages of 

 infection become apparent. No such opportunity is offered 

 for the study of the pregnant uteri of mares as is afforded 

 in the abattoir upon the gravid uteri of cows, sows and ewes. 

 When pregnancy terminates in parturition or abortion, the 

 lesions due to infection become apparent, enabling the clini- 

 cian to construct a picture of the processes as they have oc- 

 curred. Rarely one has the good fortune to examine oppor- 

 tunely a pregnant mare about to abort, and secure direct 

 data upon the behavior of infection within the uterus. In 

 so far as studied, the behavior of the infection between the 

 chorion and uterine mucosa in the mare is perfectly analo- 

 gous to the better known processes taking place in the 



