24 General Principles of Veterinar^y lledidne, 



exercise, the blood is said to be " too rich/' and the animaV 

 increases in fat, and may become sluggish and torpid. This 

 state of plethora or " over-condition/' though not actually a 

 disease, is not one of the most perfect health ; and though it 

 suits well for stall-fed steers, it is injurious to milk-cows and 

 work or racing horses. It is counteracted by lower diet, 

 more exercise, a brisk purge, and in racers by the process of 

 " sweating " them under the saddle and sweat-cloths. 



THE KIDNEYS AND SEX ORGANS. 



The kidneys are the organs which secrete the urine from 

 the blood. The fluid flows from them through a duct into 

 the bladder, whence it is expelled from time to time. The 

 urine of horses has a peculiar, strong unpleasant odor, and a 

 bitter, salty taste ; the urine of cattle is clear, of a pale 

 yellow color, of a bitter taste, and a strong alkaline reaction. 

 The urine of the sheep and the pig resembles that of cattle. 



The sex organs in the male horse are the sheath, the yard 

 and the testicles. In the gelding and the steer, the latter are 

 removed by the operation of castration. 



In the female the sex organs are the uterus or womb with 

 its appendages, the ovaries and the vagina, which is the 

 passage which conducts to the womb. In mares this is about 

 eighteen inches long. In the operation of spaying, the ova- 

 ries are removed, which renders the female barren, and 

 usually destroys her sexual desires. 



These desires in the female lower animals are only mani- 

 fested, when in health, on certain periodical occasions, known 

 as the " oestrum," when the animal is said to be " in heat.'' 

 This is manifested by restlessness, calling the male, signs of 

 congestion and irritation about the sex organs, and by the 

 discharge of a fluid from the vagina, which is said to have a 

 characteristic, and penetrating odor in the highest degree ex- 

 citing to the perfect male. 



