The Semen and Spermatozoa 79 



such pain in protruding the penis or in ejaculating semen, 

 that the animal fails to copulate properly. The examiner 

 must reach a proper diagnosis regarding the group of causes 

 under which a given case falls and search in detail for a defi- 

 nite solution of the problem. 



B. The Clinical Examination of the 

 Female Genital Organs 



The clinical examination of the genital organs of the mare 

 and the cow reveals to the veterinarian data of great eco- 

 nomic and scientific interest. The freedom with which the 

 veterinarian may palpate the entire genital system per rec- 

 tum in these animals gives to him a marked advantage over 

 his confrere in human medicine in the examination of 

 woman. In the small ruminants, with a rectum too small to 

 admit the operator's hand and a tense abdominal tunic which 

 well-nigh shuts out abdominal taxis, the veterinarian is 

 placed at a serious disadvantage. The same holds true of 

 the sow, with the thick skin and dense, abundant, subcu- 

 taneous fat. The bitch and cat, with thin flaccid abdominal 

 walls, offer a moderate opportunity for palpation of the 

 genital organs, but far inferior to that enjoyed in the mare 

 and cow. 



By means of clinical examination of the genitalia, espec- 

 ially of the cow and the mare, the veterinarian is enabled to 

 diagnose estrum, ovulation, pregnancy, and innumerable 

 genital diseases. 



Most mares and cows will stand quietly for both rectal 

 and vaginal examination, but the prudent veterinarian will 

 take no unnecessary risks. The danger, usually greatest at 

 the commencement of the examination, is far greater in the 

 mare than in the cow. The chief danger is, of course, from 

 kicks. The greatest resistance is generally offered when the 

 hand is introduced through the vulva. As a rule of prac- 

 tice, in examining the mare, one assistant should hold the 

 head securely and well elevated, another should hold up one 

 fore foot, and a third hold the tail out of the examiner's 



