66 Veterinary Obstetrics 



should they show no sign of disease but they should come from 

 a herd where no contagion is known or believ^ed to exist. The 

 manager of public breeding animals should keep himself thor- 

 oughh' posted upon the prevalence of infectious diseases in his 

 area and should carefull}^ investigate any reported appearance of 

 such diseases. When infectious maladies appear in the com- 

 munity he should ascertain as clearly as possible the extent of 

 dissemination, the location of each center of infection, and then 

 take such measures as are necessary to prevent the contraction of 

 the disease by the breeding male or his transmitting it to other 

 females. Here the general rules of disinfection should be rigidh' 

 carried out and, if necessary, isolation and the suspension of 

 breeding be applied. The exclusion from the breeding pen or 

 place of males, females or suckling young affected with con- 

 tagious diseases, however mild or convalescent, should be rigid- 

 ly enforced, the place should be kept clean, disinfected if con- 

 ditions suggest, and, whenever warranted (perhaps it always is), 

 the penis and prepuce of the male should be disinfected before or 

 after each service. This is a matter of but a few moments if prop- 

 er conveniences are arranged and would frequently avoid seri- 

 ous outbreaks of contagious disease. 



The arrangements for the disinfection of the genitals of male 

 breeding animals should be simple and thoroughly convenient 

 and effective. A pail or other vessel of copper, galvanized 

 iron or tin fitted with lid and bail and having a capacity of one 

 to two and one half gallons will readily serve the purpose. At or 

 near the bottom of this vessel have inserted a small horizontal tube, 

 curved downward at the external end, over which the end of a 

 piece of rubber tubing six to ten feet long is slipped and secured. 

 After the disinfecting solution is placed in the vessel, the latter 

 is to be elevated by means of a cord attached to the bail and 

 passing over a pulley or beam, until a sufficient height is reached 

 to supply the desired force b)'^ gravit3\ Usually a height of three 

 to six feet above the part to be treated suffices. The distal end 

 of the tube may then be inserted into the sheath of the penis, 

 the opening of the sheath grasped and. held closed for a time and 

 the entire cavity distended with the antiseptic fluid ; or the tube 

 may be pushed far back to the posterior end of the sheath and 

 the current of antiseptic fluid be depended upon to reach every 

 part. 



