DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS 69 



sterility. In inflammation of the lininj^ membrane of the womb 

 and vagina, the secretions are abnormal and may collect in the 

 womb and the passages leading to it. These secretions destroy 

 the vitality of the spermatozoa, and this condition may be con- 

 sidered a common cause of sterility in the larger animals. Many 

 vigorous young males are made impotent by excessive copulation. 

 The excessive use of the male at any time may result in failure 

 to impregnate a larg-e percentage of the females that he serves. 



Barren females do not become pregnant after frequent inter- 

 course with the male. Young sterile females may not come in 

 heat. Sometimes unnatural periods of heat are manifested, the 

 animal coming in heat frequently or remaining in heat for a 

 longer period than usual. This sometimes occurs in tuberculo- 

 sis of the ovaries. In chronic inflammation of the maternal 

 passage there is more or less discharge from the vulva. Both 

 sexes may be overly fat or weakened and debilitated by disease. 

 Deformity of the generative organs and growths may be found 

 on making an examination. Absence of, or lack of vitality of 

 the spermatozoa may be determined by microscopic examination 

 of the seminal fluid. 



The treatment is largely preventive. It is very important 

 that breeding animals be kept in proper physical condition by 

 avoiding the feeding of too heavy or too light a ration, and 

 allowing them sufficient exercise. The male is more often 

 affected by the latter cause than the female. Young males 

 should not be given excessive intercourse with the female. The 

 excessive use of the stallion can be avoided by practising arti- 

 ficial impregnation of a part of the mares that he is called to 

 serve. vSterility caused by growths and closure of the os may 

 be corrected by an operation. 



Before practicing a course of treatment for the relief of 

 sterility in either male or female, its advisability and the line 

 of treatment should first be determined by a careful examination 

 of the parts. This examination should be made by a veterinarian. 

 A large percentage of the cases of sterility are due to diseased 

 ovaries and inflammation of the uterine mucous membrane. 



