702 



Diseases of the Genital Organs 



immediately to the bacteria present. The uterine douching 

 may partly wash the infection out or may chemically destroy 

 it. In my experience post-coital uterine douching often re- 

 veals muco-pus in the cervix or cervical end of the uterus. 

 The healthy vigorous spermatozoa have probably left the 

 uterus and ascended the oviducts within three to four hours 

 after coitus. From that time until the fertilized ovum de- 

 scends into the uterine cavity, uterine douches are without 

 peril to conception and, if properly done, decrease the perils 

 of cervical and uterine infections. The unknown element in 

 this field is the minimum duration of time required for sper- 

 matozoa to pass through the uterus and enter the oviduct, 

 and for a fertilized ovum to traverse the oviducts and reach 

 the uterus. I have stated elsewhere that in one instance I 

 successfully douched muco-pus from the uterus of a preg- 

 nant cow thirteen days post coitus. It is reasonably certain 

 that the fertilized ovum was not in the uterus at that time, 

 but it is not certain, and I believe is improbable, that the 

 duration of time in this instance was typical. 



The number of copulations which a bull should be caused 

 or permitted to make has not been sufficiently studied. 

 There are certainly very wide variations in individuals in 

 the powers of sexual endurance. Some breeders have at- 

 tempted to state arbitrarily the number of cows which a bull 

 may serve. The capacity of a bull should be based upon the 

 number of copulations it may be prudent to have him make. 

 The number of cows will then be dependent upon the fer- 

 tility of the bull and the average fertility of the individual 

 cows which he is to serve. Reliable data of the average rate 

 of conception in cattle are wanting, and most persons be- 

 lieve the conception rate to be far above the facts. In one 

 extensive purebred beef herd, where both bulls and cows 

 were grazed throughout the year, and in which the genital 

 organs were exceptionally healthy, there were recorded 

 2675 copulations, with 1141 known pregnancies, resulting 

 in the birth of 1061 (39.66', ) of viable calves, 46 (1.72$ ) 

 non-viable calves, 34 (1.31', ) recorded abortions, and L534 

 (57.34'/ ) copulations without observed result. The data 



