Physical Injuries 57 



which may cause limited hemorrhage and some straining ; some- 

 times the lacerations in the mucosa and muscular walls are ex- 

 tensive and induce marked symtoms of wound infection in the 

 vagina with tumefaction, discharge and straining ; while, in other 

 cases, the vaginal walls are completely ruptured, with great dan- 

 ger of fatal peritonitis. 



In one instance investigated by us a series of injuries was caused 

 by a recently imported stallion, which had been put to service 

 among comparatively small mares. Almost every mare served 

 by him exhibited signs of vaginal injury ; some were severely 

 lacerated; in one there was a fatal rupture. Inspecting the horse, 

 he was found to be an overgrown, coarse, leggy grade draft stal- 

 lion about eighteen hands high and with an enormous penis 

 which would have been dangerous with heavy draft mares, while, 

 in his neighborhood, most animals were of small roadster or com- 

 mon stock. 



When such injuries occur, there is observed an abnormal amount 

 of straining immediately after copulation, with, perhaps, some dis- 

 charge of blood from the vulva. Later, swelling of the vulva and 

 a muco-purulent discharge may occur. 



If the wound penetrates the peritoneal cavity, septic peritonitis 

 is highly probable, with early collapse and death. 



Injuries to the mare from this cause should be obviated by 

 means of a roll or padded surcingle encircling the body and pass- 

 ing just in front of the sheath in a manner to prevent the penis 

 from entering the vagina to its full length, the pad or roll being 

 adjusted in size according to the case. The diameter of the roll 

 should always be ample, since little fear need be entertained that 

 the prevention of the entrance of the entire length of the penis 

 will unfavorably affect the results of copulation, as general obser- 

 vations show to the contrary. In constructing this roll or pad 

 an ordinary surcingle may be used and a tube made of .sheeting 

 or other sufi&ciently strong material and this, open at each end, 

 slipped over the surcingle. Padding of cotton, oakum or other 

 material is then. to be inserted into the tubular covering until it 

 is tightly filled so that it presents a diameter of 4 to 8 inches 

 in that part of the surcingle to come in contact with the abdomi- 

 nal floor, after which the open ends of the tube are to be secured 

 to the surcingle and closed by tying. When the stallion is 

 ready for service, the surcingle is passed around his body just in 



