DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 



By James Law, F. 11. C. V. S., 



Formerly Professor of Veterinary Science, etc., in Cornell University. 



[Revised by Adolph Kichhorn, D. V. S.] 



GENERAL DISCUSSION. 



Diseases of the generative organs are practically confined to ani- 

 mals which are kept for reproduction and the dairy. The castration 

 of the bull condemns these organs to inactivity and protects them 

 from the many causes of injury attendant on the engorged blood 

 vessels in the frequent periods of sexual excitement, on the exposure 

 to mechanical violence, and on the exposure to infective inoculation. 

 In three respects the castrated male is especially subject to disease: 

 (1) To inflammation and tumefaction of the cut end of the cord that 

 supported the testicle and of the loose connective tissue of the scro- 

 tum; (2) to inflammation of the sheath and penis from the accumu- 

 lation of gravel in the former, from which the penis is not usually 

 protruded in passing water; and (3) to bruising, abrasion, and 

 inflammation of the sheath and penis during suspension in the stocks 

 for the purpose of shoeing. Apart from these the ox is practically 

 almost exempt from the inflammations and injuries of the genital 

 organs. The same applies to the castrated heifer. Inflammation 

 may occur in the broad ligament of the womb whence the ovary has 

 been removed or infective inflammation in the abdominal cavity 

 (peritonitis) in case the operation has been performed through the 

 flank, as it usually is in the young heifer. Apart from these, the cas- 

 trated heifer is practically immune from any trouble of the genera- 

 tive apparatus. Even the virgin heifer is little subject to such 

 troubles, though she is not exempt from inflammations, and above all, 

 from morbid growths in the ovaries which are well developed and 

 functionally very active after the first year, or in precocious animals 

 after the first few months of life. The breeding cow, on the other 

 hand, is subjected to all the disturbances attendant on the gradual en- 

 largement of the womb, the diversion of a large mass of blood to its 

 walls, the constant drain of nutrient materials of all kinds for the 

 nourishment of the fetus, the risks attendant and consequent on abor- 

 tion and parturition, the dangers of infection from the bull, the risks 

 of sympathetic disturbance in case of serious diseases of other organs, 

 33071°— 10 10 145 



