Onaiiism or Mashirbation 143 



or three hundred mares during the year but, in such cases, the 

 service was evenl}- distributed over the entire period. 



Zschokke draws attention to the erroneous behef that a long 

 abstinence from coition serves to store up a large amount of se- 

 men, which will answer for a series of copulations. There is no 

 reservoir in the animal body for such purpose, and all semen 

 which may be secreted and not used in copulation soon disinte- 

 grates and is expelled or ab.sorbed. On the other hand, he points 

 out that, perhaps, the glands undergo some atrophy from long 

 inactivity and that their function is best preserved by moderate 

 use. 



Excessive sexual use is largely a comparative term and indica- 

 tive rather of a relative over-use under surrounding environment. 



There is no question that a breeding male may be readily over- 

 done, nor that such is not a frequent occurrence, but, more com- 

 monly, the use becomes excessive under bad management, where 

 proper handling of the male would enable him to make the num- 

 ber of services demanded, safely and efficiently. 



Zschokke also draws attention to the very important fact that 

 moderate work during the breeding season is not injurious, but 

 favorable, to fertility and that permanent confinement in the 

 stall tends contantly to a decreased secretion of semen and con- 

 sequent sterility. It is a constant observation that a male breed- 

 ing animal which is regularly exercised is capable of rendering a 

 greater number of effective .services than one which is closely 

 confined. 



The feeding has much to do with the breeding capacity of the 

 male. In quality, some writers condemn such foods as oil cake 

 and malted grain and prefer the various forms of grains and, es- 

 pecially, of oats, barley, peas and beans in moderate quantit}'. 

 To these should be added hay and grass in sufficient amount. 

 Roots, tubers, meal and molasses are not essential as a part of 

 the food supply for breeding males, but may aid in maintaining 

 a good state of digestion and thus contribute to the general vigor. 



The feeding of salt has long been regarded as important in 

 reference to fertility, but it is not known whether it acts directly 

 or merely serves to favor fertility, indirectly, by aiding digestion 

 and assimilation. 



4. Onanism or Masturbation. Masturbation, as a cau.se of 

 sterility, is observed chiefly in the stallion and bull. It is very 



