200 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



influence through two separate channels. In the first place, 

 overwork or starvation, by lowering nutrition of mature 

 genital cells, directly inhibits reproduction. The functions 

 of the sex glands are such that neither the physical over- 

 exertion of the animal nor starvation can extend its influ- 

 ence beyond the duration of the abuse. The function re- 

 turns with restoration of bodily vigor. 



The indirect effects of these errors are far more serious 

 and enduring. In all animals the genital organs commonly 

 contain bacteria which, so long as the animal is healthy, 

 may insidiously multiply at a rate barely to maintain their 

 status. When for any reason the vigor of the animal is 

 lowered, the genital tract participates in the depression and 

 bacteria multiply and rapidly increase in virulence. Soon 

 permanent injury of essential structures may occur, and 

 reproduction becomes difficult or impossible. At one time 

 there was much said about "fatty degeneration" of the 

 genital organs as a bar to reproduction in fat animals. I 

 know of no adequate ground for such an assertion. In most 

 animals the genital organs are among the last to act as de- 

 positories for fat. A notable exception is the bitch, in 

 which the uterine ligaments are loaded with fat, but these 

 are not essential and the fundamental organs are not visibly 

 involved. 



As knowledge of the diseases of the genital organs ad- 

 vances, the belief in the direct influence of food, work, and 

 housing recedes, but their indirect influence, through the 

 general lowering of vigor and a correlatively increased viru- 

 lence of bacteria present, comes into greater prominence. 

 The proper nutrition, housing, and physical exercise of 

 breeding animals is one of the great fundamentals in the 

 problem of reproduction, because the vigor which these in- 

 duce constitutes an invaluable armor against the extension 

 of infection. 



E. Excessive Sexual Use 



The number of copulations which a male animal can eff'ec- 

 tively perform is an important question for the breeder. It 



