Breeding In-and-in, 25 



The mammary glands or udder is an appendage of the sex 

 organs in the female. It is brought into action after fertile 

 connection and reproduction have been accomplished — though 

 the secretion of milk is possible without these. 



Although the horse, ox and sheep are strictly herbivorous 

 animals, they live, when young, on animal food in the form 

 of milk ; and it is the desire by man to partake of this food 

 that leads him to give so much attention to the breeding of 

 cows in this country and of mares in Asia. 



The diseases of these organs form a very important class. 

 Disturbances of the urinary secretion are by no means un- 

 common in our domestic animals. Diabetes or excessive uri- 

 nation is a familiar example; "red water'' and "black 

 water '' are known in both horses and cows ; and inflamma- 

 tory affections of the bladder and kidneys, though not fre- 

 quent, are always troublesome. 



With regard to the sex organs, the difficulties and compli- 

 cations of pregnancy and parturition demand careful study 

 on the part of the stock owner ; and disorders of the udder, 

 the treatment of milk fever, and the management of new- 

 born calves are subjects with which every one having the 

 care of 'domestic animals should make himself acquainted. 



Another and important topic, which comes appropriately 

 in this connection, is the effect on the health of stock of 

 breeding in-and-in. As a predisposing cause to certain very 

 dangerous diseases, it has not received in the United States, 

 at least, the attention it should have. 



The ill effects of close breeding are seen less in the horse, 

 than in cattle and sheep. In cattle the extremities become 

 delicate, the hair smooth and fine, i\\Q ears thin, and the 

 general sensitiveness increased. The animal becomes more 

 subject to various diseases, especially of the lungs, and to 

 what are called " clayers '' in the throat. The English herd 

 books give instances where once famous herds have de- 



