240 Veterinary Obstetrics 



The question of overcoming sterility due to cysts or other 

 ovarian disease, with a view to the restoration of the breeding 

 powers in valuable brood mares, has been quite neglected and 

 attention turned chiefly toward the amelioration or cure of the 

 vice attending the malady, as symptoms, and thus restoring the 

 work value of the animal. Since nymphomania in the mare is 

 largely observed only in those not used or desired for breeding, 

 this tendency in handling is natural and quite sufficient in this 

 class of cases. It is only when involving animals desired for 

 breeding purposes that we are specially concerned from an 

 obstetric point of view. When our aim to restore fertility is 

 frustrated by insurmountable obstacles, the duty of the veteri- 

 narian yet remains to preserve to the owner, as far as possible, 

 any work value which the animal may possess when relieved 

 of the nymphomania. 



Three plans for the surgical relief or amelioration of nympho- 

 mania in the mare have been more or less advocated : 



I. Clitoridectomy. 



Because some regard the clitoris as the chief seat of irritation, 

 from which the nymphomaniac symptoms are reflected, the re- 

 moval of this organ has from time to time found advocates. In 

 our experience it has not proven its efficiency, though we must 

 confess that, owing to our skepticism of its value, we have not 

 tested the operation sufficiently to warrant our condemning it. 



We can not, however, admit that the clitoris is of sufficient 

 importance as a center of sexual reflexes, to warrant the belief 

 that its surgical removal will generally suffice to eliminate sexual 

 mania unless first it be shown that it is in some way organically 

 or functionally diseased. We freely admit however that clitori- 

 dectomy may, and does at times, overcome vice akin to nympho- 

 mania in some respects, but, in part, this may be attributable to 

 the physical punishment of the animal under confinement. 

 Nymphomania being a reflex nervous disorder, physical punish- 

 ment may at times possibly exert a curative influence. Holling- 

 worth ' records a case in the mare where he obtained relief from 

 nymphomania by clitoridectomy, the operation being performed 

 under complete chloroform anaesthesia, in which case the cure 



' Veterinary Magazine, Volume I. 



