DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 145 



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

 that they are almost exclusively restricted to breeding animals; and, 

 second, that in keeping with the absolute difference of the organs in 

 the male and female we find two essentially distinct lists of diseases 

 affecting the two sexes. 



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

 MANIA IN FEMALE). 



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

 from injury and congestion of the base of the brain (vaso-dilator cen- 

 ter 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, emacia- 

 tion, 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 food, 

 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 asso- 

 ciation 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 forma- 

 tion of cysts (sacs containing liquid) or of solid tumors or degenera- 

 tions, or, more commonly than all, the deposition 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 off its bones, and gradually 

 wasting. In some localities these cows are known as "bullers," 

 because they are nearly always disposed to take the bull, but they 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 excitement, when, in 

 the absence of tuberculous disease elsewhere, they may be fattened 

 for the butcher. 



Among the other sources of irritation charged with causing nympho- 

 mania are tumors and cancers of the womb, rigid closure of the neck of 

 the womb so that conception can not occur and the frequent services 

 by the male stimulate the unsatisfied appetite, and inflammation, and 

 a purulent discharge from the womb or vagina. 



61386—08 10 



