DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS II3 



6 teaspoonfuls ; powdered gentian root, 6 teaspoon- 

 fuls. 



BARRENNESS.— Failure to breed is usually due 

 to an acid secretion of the genital organs, to the 

 germs of contagious abortion, retention of the after- 

 birth, or to an abnormal condition of the sexual 

 organs of either the male or female. The acid secre- 

 tion of the genital organs prevents conception by 

 destroying the semen of the male ; the germs of con- 

 tagious abortion set up a catarrhal inflammation and 

 discharge, which also prevents conception ; retention 

 of the afterbirth, whether it be removed by force 

 or permitted to slough away, usually leaves the 

 womb in a diseased and catarrhal condition, effect- 

 ing a discharge; impotency may be due to excess- 

 ive use of the male, or to advancing age in both 

 male and female. 



Any unnatural discharge irritates and scalds the 

 mouth of the womb so that when the discharge 

 ceases the mouth of the womb heals, and it is im- 

 possible to make a cow or mare breed without 

 mechanical interference. This kind of treatment is 

 conducive to fertility by increasing the blood sup- 

 ply to the part. Mechanical contrivances are now 

 on the market for the purpose of dilating the mouth 

 of the womb. These increase the probability of 

 pregnancy. If the womb be opened just before 

 service, many troublesome cases can be corrected. 

 This is done by inserting the oiled hand and arm 

 into the vagina, finding the opening into the womb, 

 and gradually dilating it by inserting one or more 

 fingers until the passage is open and free. 



BIG HEAD. — ^Just why bones become soft and 

 frequently are absorbed in normal animals is not 

 known, unless it is due to an absence of some 

 essential bone constituent in the food or water. 



