774 Diseases of the Getiital Organs 



If orchitis appears, as it frequently does, in addition to 

 the foregoing measures, including the internal administra- 

 tion of nitrous ether and quinine, local applications to con- 

 trol the inflammation in the glands should be applied. First 

 among these in the early stages is local refrigeration by the 

 application of cold water or ice. Probably the most efficient 

 means is the application of broken ice by means of a suspen- 

 sorium, which serves the double purpose of refrigeration 

 and supporting the weight of the pendant glands. This treat- 

 ment should be constantly and faithfully applied until the 

 crisis of the malady has passed, since the effective handling 

 of these glands may determine whether the animal is to be 

 of further value as a breeder. Such remedies as belladonna 

 and camphor, applied locally, tend to relieve congestion and 

 overcome the inflammation, but in a critical case the refrig- 

 eration is probably superior. 



Later, when the acute symptoms have passed, chronic in- 

 fection should be considered, precautions taken against the 

 spread of the malady to mares, and measures adopted to 

 eradicate the infection from the system as quickly as possi- 

 ble. For this purpose an extended course of potassium 

 iodide at the rate of 1/2 ounce per day for each 1,000 lbs. of 

 body weight is probably the safest remedy. Some veteri- 

 narians fear that the prolonged administration of this drug 

 may induce a harmful atrophy of the testicles, but this is 

 quite imaginary and without foundation. The iodide should 

 be continued for three or four weeks, or longer if necessary. 



Abundant time should be allowed to elapse, after the dis- 

 appearance of all visible symptoms of the disease, before 

 permitting the animal to serve mares. It is advisable, in 

 case the disease attacks the stallion during the breeding sea- 

 son, to withdraw him from the stud for the year. In any 

 case it is wise to begin breeding cautiously and watch closely 

 for evidences of the transmission of the infection to suscep- 

 tible mares. When a stallion which has suffered from pink 

 eye shows evidences of sterility, careful examination of the 

 genitals and of the semen should be made and, should any 

 restoration of the breeding powers seem possible, appropri- 



