DISEASES PECULIAR TO BREEDING STOCK. 319 



mation and ulce ration, and ultimately impair the general 

 condition of the horse. When soap is used in cleansing the 

 parts they should be rinsed with clean water thereafter. 

 Oil or greasy substances should never be applied after cleans- 

 ing, as is frequently done, for these substances are apt to de- 

 compose and cause renewed irritation. If the parts were for 

 some time daily cleansed and then bathed with a solution of 

 chlorinated lime, in the proportion of two ounces to a quart 

 of cold water, gradual improvement and a subsequently per- 

 manent healthy condition would be likely to result. The 

 use of this solution would also prevent the appearance of 

 maggots. The horse's general condition should be improved 

 by liberal keep, the administration of tonic remedies inter- 

 nally, and if he is used for work, by lessening or discontinu- 

 ing the same for a sufficient length of time. 



MASTURBATION. 



It occurs to me that I should not close my remarks on the 

 most common ailments to which the stallion is subject with- 

 out referring to an evil with which I presume all of my read- 

 ers are familiar. In fact, the subject of masturbation, or 

 self-abuse, is one of considerable interest and importance, 

 not only to horsemen, but to all breeders of live stock. It is 

 a remarkable fact that our literature on live-stock matters 

 almost entirely ignores the subject. There certainly cannot 

 be any impropriety in discussing this matter in a work en- 

 tirely devoted to the interest of breeding, especially when 

 we consider the often serious results of the practice and the 

 inconvenience and trouble it often causes during the season 

 of training, or when, for other reasons, the stallion is with- 

 held from service. I remember several instances where the 

 result upon the health and usefulness of stallions was of so 

 serious a nature that castration was resorted to as the only 

 effective remedy. The too frequent practice of masturbation 

 by, and its evil effects upon, the little stallion King Phillip, 

 with a record of 2:21, was the reason given for castrating 

 him. 



There are various causes of this habit. "Idleness begets 

 Vice" is an adage applicable to a great extent in the case of 



