Nymphoviania in the Mare 239 



The normal gland in the young or adult mare is elastic, smooth, 

 firm, oblong and about 2^4 — 3)^ inches in its greatest diameter, 

 by i>^ — 2 inches in its lesser diameter. The diagnosis of cystic 

 or fibrous degeneration of the ovaries of the mare and the rela- 

 tionship between these diseases and sterility is not always clear. 

 Nymphomania in the mare, is, unlike in the cow, most frequently 

 observed in those animals not used for breeding purposes at all, 

 rarely in those used in constant daily work, and chiefly in those 

 more or less contantly stabled, irregularly worked and not at all 

 bred . 



How manj- of them would conceive if bred, we do not know, 

 but we dp know that many nymphomaniac mares breed and that 

 the nymphomania usually disappears during the span of preg- 

 nancy, to recur with some degree of regularity after foaling. 

 The condition of the ovaries in such cases is unknown. 



It is highly essential therefore that, in examining a mare for 

 sterility, a diagnosis should be made only after the most careful 

 examination, not only of the ovaries but of all other generative 

 organs as well. At the same time, we must have due regard for 

 the clinical history of the case and the general condition and 

 handling of the patient. 



Treatment. 



Since the ovisacs in the ovary of the mare normally rupture 

 only in the hilus of the organ and the tunica albuginea is ex- 

 ceedingly thick and tough, as compared with that of the cow 

 and other domestic animals, the rupture of cysts by rectal 

 compression is practically excluded in all cases. The ovarj' is 

 attached so far forwards that it cannot be drawn back and com- 

 pressed per vaginam, as in the cow. 



It is possible to puncture the cystic gland by means of a long 

 trocar, while the ovary is grasped per rectum ; or a vaginal in- 

 cision for ovariotomy may be made, one hand introduced into the 

 the peritoneal cavity and the organ directly grasped while, with 

 the other hand, a long trocar is carefully inserted, and the cyst 

 punctured. 



When but one ovary is affected, unilateral ovariotomy may of 

 course restore the breeding powers and, in properh- selected 

 cases, becomes desirable. 



