146 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



but preeminently of the urinary organs and the udder, and finally 

 the sudden extreme derangements of the circulation and of the nerv- 

 ous functions which attend on the sudden revulsion of a great mass 

 of blood from the walls of the contracting womb into the body at 

 large immediately after calving. 



In reviewing this class of diseases, therefore, we have to note, first, 

 that they are almost exclusively restricted to breeding animals, and 

 secondly that in keeping with the absolute difference of the organs 

 in the male and female we find two essentially distinct lists of dis- 

 eases affecting the two sexes. 



EXCESS OF VENEREAL DESIRE (SATYRIASIS IN MALE, OR NYM- 

 PHOMANIA IN FEMALE). 



This may occur in the male from too frequent sexual intercourse, 

 or from injury and congestion of the base of the brain (vasodilator 

 center in the medulla), or of the posterior end of the spinal cord, or 

 it may be kept up by congestion or inflammation of the testicles or of 

 the mucous membrane covering the penis. It may be manifested by 

 a constant or frequent erection, by attempts at sexual connection, 

 and sometimes by the discharge of semen without connection. In 

 bad cases the feverishness and restlessness lead to loss of flesh, 

 emaciation, and physical weakness. 



It is, however, in the female especially that this morbid desire is 

 most noticeable and injurious. It may be excited by the stimulating 

 quality of the blood in cows fed to excess on highly nitrogenous feed, 

 as the seeds of the bean, pea, vetch, and tare, and as wheat bran, 

 middlings, cotton seed, gluten meal, etc., especially in the case of 

 such as have no free exercise in the fields, and are subject to constant 

 association with a vigorous young bull. A more frequent cause is the 

 excitation or congestion of some part of the genital organs. Disease 

 of the ovaries is preeminently the cause, and this may be by the for- 

 mation of cysts (sacs containing liquid) or of solid tumors or de- 

 generations, or, more commonly than all, the formation of tubercle. 

 Indeed, in case of tuberculosis attacking the abdominal organs of 

 cows, the ovaries or the serous membranes that support and cover 

 them (the broad ligaments of the womb) are peculiarly subject to 

 attack, and the animal has constant sexual excitement, incessantly 

 riding or being ridden by other cattle, having no leisure to eat or 

 chew the cud, but moving restlessly, wearing the flesh ofl^ its bones, 

 and gradually wasting. In some localities tliese cows are known as 

 " bullers," because they are nearly always disposed to take the bull, 

 but tliey do not conceive, or, if they do, they are subject to early 

 abortions. They are, therefore, useless alike for the dairy and for 

 the feeder, unless the removal of the ovaries subdues the sexual ex- 



