394 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



II. GENERAL INFECTIONS OF THE GENITAL 

 ORGANS OF HEIFERS AND COWS 



A. Diseases of the Ovaries. Ovaritis 



Simple ovaritis, or oophoritis, is not often clearly distin- 

 guishable as a clinical entity in animals. In the preceding 

 chapter the invasion of the ovary by such infections as ac- 

 tinomycosis and tuberculosis has been recorded. Rarely 

 also one encounters abscessation of the ovary. 



The diseases of the ovaries of cattle (and other animals) 

 have not been scientifically studied. A few very superficial 

 histo-biologic studies have been begun, but abandoned be- 

 fore any material knowledge was gained or any correlation 

 between the findings and clinical observations established. 

 Much has been written concerning the clinical aspects of 

 ovarian diseases. Between these two fields of study are the 

 macl-oscopical findings upon post-mortem examination. The 

 knowledge of ovarian diseases (and the diseases of other 

 genital organs may well be included in the generalization) 

 is consequently superficial and fragmentary. Therefore any 

 statements, aside from the few clearly demonstrated facts 

 which may be presented, are to be accepted with very liberal 

 reservations and it must be confidently expected that ade- 

 quate study will modify numerous assumptions and beliefs. 



In general it appears that the ovaries of cattle are fre- 

 quently the habitat of varieties of infection of a type which 

 may exist indefinitely in the gland without causing notable 

 disease but which may, under certain conditions, acquire a 

 force competent to bring about disturbances in structure 

 and function. Bacteria (micrococci, streptococci, etc.) are 

 found in the ovaries of heifer calves and of aged cows, with- 

 out evidence or suggestion that the infection in the ovary of 

 the aged cow did not acquire its ovarian habitat while the 

 animal was yet in the nursery. Many clinical and post- 

 mortem changes are seen in the ovaries, so associated with 

 disturbances of ovarian function as observed clinically that 

 certain conclusions, assumptions, or surmises are justified. 



