170 I'ctcrinary Obstetrics 



observed ovarian cysts in mares, sheep, goats and swine, always 

 in the latter animals without nymphomaniac symptoms. ( vid. 

 Post Mortem Findings 7 and 8), [We have operated for nympho- 

 mania due to ovarian cysts in the bitch.] 



In regions with very intensively forced cattle-breeding and 

 dairying, upon estates where large quantities of artificial ferti- 

 lizers are used, artificial foods are employed, and where pedi- 

 greed breeding animals are overfed, especially on rye, distiller's 

 grains, malt and, in addition, are constantly stabled, the disease 

 is indigenous, while, in animals more naturally and moderately 

 fed and kept much at pasture, the disease is far more rare. 



Aside from the fact that nymphomania is especially common 

 in highly fed, stabled cows and in certain establishments it is 

 also apparent that there is a casual connection in the frequency 

 of its appearance according to the character of the .season, the 

 change from grass to hay feeding and in conn^ection with 

 parturition. 



On the other hand, there is not sufficient evidence to warrant 

 the conclusion that ovarian cysts are directly inherited, although, 

 in some cases found among cows of the same family. Neverthe- 

 less, we believe that the disposition to the formation of cysts is 

 hereditary and that this tendency becomes emphasized through 

 intensive feeding, constant stabling, deep milking, frequent 

 breeding and through attacks of the nodular venereal di.sea.se. 

 The tendency to cystic degeneration may al.so be favored by all 

 conditions by which certain uses, like milking or breeding, be- 

 come hereditarily emphasized, or the vital energy is greatly 

 depressed, that is, a predi.spo.sition is established for di.sea.ses of 

 the milk glands, ovaries and uterus. 



The primary causes of the formation of cysts are, as yet, un- 

 known. Among other causes which have been suggested, we 

 may mention that proposed b}' Giovanoli,' who believes that it 

 may be due to cerebral disease. According to the investigations 

 of Simon, the occurrence of ovarian cysts cannot be referred to a 

 chronic oophoritis with secondary thickening of the albuginea 

 because he failed to find in anj^ such ovaries a thickening of this 

 tunic, although they were generally cystic in a high degree. 



Giovanoli. Schweizer-Archiv. fur Tierheilkunde, 1S97, page 77. 



