Physical Injuries 6i 



rest within the sheath by means of a suspensorium and the re- 

 sulting local inflamation ameliorated by the application of cool- 

 ing astringents such as lead acetate, hamamelis, tannin, bella- 

 donna, etc., combined in cases of necessity with antiseptics. Gen- 

 erally the patient may have quiet walking exercise, a restricted 

 laxative diet, saline laxatives or in case of serious disturbance, 

 prompt cathartics of the hypodermic alkaloidal group. 



Lesser injuries to the penis of the stallion are caused by the 

 pushing of tail hairs of the mare into the vagina by the glans 

 penis. These being drawn tightl}' across the penis, cut the organ. 

 This is to be prevented by the stallion groom by drawing the tail 

 of the mare aside at the commencement of the copulatory act or 

 better by means of a bandage about the base of the tail extending 

 low enough to secure any hairs that might be caught upon the 

 glans penis or b}' braiding the upper hairs of the tail upon the 

 dorsal surface. 



In bulls and other male ruminants, the penis occasionally be- 

 comes caught against the side of the vulva or elsewhere and the 

 animal at the moment of making the violent copulatory thrust, 

 doubles the organ sharplj' upon itself, "breaking" it or other- 

 wise causing serious injury. Sudden and violent bending of the 

 erected penis causes such injuries to its tissues that the "broken" 

 organ remains curved or bent at an angle, or that portion beyond 

 the point of injury does not become erected, which renders him 

 u.seless as a breeder (see Sterility) or the injury causes balanitis 

 or inflammation of the prepuce which leads to adhesions so that 

 the organ cannot be protruded. 



The prevention of such injuries is more important and practica- 

 ble than their handling. They are most liable to occur in 

 confined males which are suddenly brought in contact with fe- 

 males in estrum, not always in a proper state for coition. The 

 female may be nervous or timid at the approach of a strange male 

 or, still worse, estrum may not yet have reached its fullness or has 

 begun to decline so that she will not stand well and, as a result 

 of resistance, the accident may occur. Slipper}^ or uneven ground 

 may also render the act insecure and lead to injuries to the penis. 



Prevention should be based chiefly on the avoidance of these 

 and other dangers. In cows especially, it is important that they 

 be properly in estrum, that the enclosure in which copulation is 

 to occur is reasonably even and the footing secure. Zschokke 



