152 Veterinary Obstetrics 



whether ejaculation occurs or not. The act of ejaculation may 

 be observed b}- watching over the course of the urethra for the 

 wave-like movements caused by the propulsion of the fluid 

 through the channel. If ejaculation has not occurred, when the 

 male dismounts, the penis is still erected, probably more than at 

 the commencement of the effort. This is especially notable in 

 the stallion. 



In some animals, especialh' the mare, a large portion of the 

 semen is at once expelled from the vagina and may thus or other- 

 wise be readily secured for further observation. 



The manual exploration of the .sexual organs needs be careful 

 and complete. The testicles should be normal in size, form, 

 location and density and free from adhesions. Their surfaces 

 should be smooth and even and the spermatic cords normal in 

 size, soft, movable and regular. The acces.sory glands — vesiculae 

 seminales, Cowper'sand prostate — and the vasadeferentia may be 

 examined manually in the larger males and digitally in the 

 smaller, and any disease or marked abnormality noted. For this 

 purpose, the veterinarian in a breeding district should make him- 

 self expert in the palpation of the internal genital organs by rec- 

 tal exploration. The novice can draw no .safe conclusions by 

 rectal palpations, which acquire diagnostic value only by re- 

 peated application in practice. 



The penis needs be completely exposed for proper examina- 

 tion, when diseases and deformities may be readily detected. 

 The urethral opening should be carefully inspected and, if neces- 

 sary, explored to any desired distance with a sound or catheter. 



The quantity and quality of food should be carefully deter- 

 mined and the amount of exercise or work permitted or enforced 

 should be learned. 



Finally, much may be learned, if the animal copulates, by an 

 examination of the .semen. While the seminal fluid can be pre- 

 served for hours and carried a long distance, it is preferable to 

 examine it at the breeding place. Immediately after service by 

 the male, semen should be taken from the vagina and placed in 

 a watch crystal or on a slide with a cover glass and examined 

 under a low power microscope. 



If this is not practicable and it is desired to make the examina- 

 tion at a point distant from the breeding place, freshly ejaculated 

 semen may be placed in a flask, which should be immersed in 



