328 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



The surface was dark-colored, congested, somewhat eroded, 

 and suppurating slightly. Inability to copulate was appar- 

 ently referable to the combination of four factors — the en- 

 largement of the glans ; the roughening of its surface, due 

 chiefly to the destruction of the epithelium, thus hindering 

 the introduction of the glans into the vulva ; the pain ; and 

 the flaccidity of the diseased area. The penis was protruded 

 readily. When the bull was confined upon the operating 

 table, the penis could be pushed out of the sheath and pre- 

 puce by forcibly effacing the sigmoid flexure. When thus 

 forced out and securely grasped so that the part could be 

 closely inspected, it was seen that the apex of the glans for 

 a distance of about 3 inches was much inflamed and en- 

 larged, and bled readily upon touch. The diseased tip was 

 dark livid, the epithelium largely destroyed, and the surface 

 contaminated by purulent exudate. The appearances were 

 strongly suggestive of tuberculosis. The diseased tip of the 

 glans was amputated. The histologic appearances were 

 those of tuberculous lesions, and stained smears showed 

 tubercle bacilli. The operative wound progressed very fav- 

 orably for a time, and the bull was promptly discharged 

 from the clinic, apparently on the safe road to recovery. 



The patient belonged to a breeder devoid of serious regard 

 for the control of tuberculosis. It was understood that the 

 disease was rampant in his herd and that he was more con- 

 cerned about concealment than about control. I was unable 

 to follow the case. Apparently the patient, valued at about 

 ten thousand dollars, had contracted the infection by copu- 

 lating with a cow having genital tuberculosis. After becom- 

 ing infected, he was evidently a very serious menace to any 

 healthy cow with which he might copulate. The venereal 

 peril was limited chiefly by the fact already related, that he 

 could not copulate with most cows and heifers, but only with 

 those having commodious vulvae. The attitude of the owner 

 prevented any investigation of the herd in an effort to learn 

 whether any harm had come to cows from copulation with 

 this animal. So far as I have observed, he was one of the 

 most dangerous bulls I have seen with genital tuberculosis. 



