Results- of Idleness and Overwork 141 



Zschokke further remarks that there is sometimes an absence 

 of sexual desire in young bulls which have not previously served 

 cows. This seems to be an absence of the sexual instinct and he 

 suggests that such animals should be turned loose with cows 

 which are in estrum. Under these conditions, they soon become 

 sexually awakened and learn to serve females. This difficulty is 

 not so prominent in other domestic animals, though the same 

 condition is observed to some extent in young stallions. Under 

 normal conditions the sexual desire of healthy young animals is 

 awakened and intensified by the presence of the opposite sex. 

 Breeders of pedigreed stock recognize this fact and cautiously keep 

 young males of some .species entirely away from females which 

 may be in estrum, lest their mere presence awaken the sexual 

 desires of the immature male and thereby interrupt his growth. 



The preparation of breeding animals for the show ring is always 

 very dangerous for the sexjual vitality of the individual. In order 

 to get them in high condition, they are frequently closely con- 

 fined in the stall and fed in such a manner as to produce the 

 greatest amount of fat, in order that they may make a better 

 showing and more certainly win a prize. It is an unfortunate 

 fact that many of our most richly bred animals, which are de- 

 signed for breeding purposes and which capture the most coveted 

 prizes at the livestock fairs, have their breeding powers either 

 temporarily or permanently destroyed in the process of feeding 

 them for the show. There is no effective method for overcoming 

 this except by the exercise of greater intelligence on the part of 

 the owners of show animals, which may be furthered by judges 

 in livestock exhibitions paying less attention to the amount of 

 fat and more to the form and general vigor of the animal, in the 

 allotment of premiums. In order to show breeding animals with 

 safety, it is absolutely essential that abundant exercise should 

 accompany the preparing process if the sexual vigor of the animal 

 is to be safely preserved. 



The result is not the same with all individuals. There are 

 some which can withstand almost unlimited abuse in this direc- 

 tion and continue to breed regularly, while others are very sus- 

 ceptible and soon become temporarily or permanently sterile. 

 Once this sterility is established, the only thing that can be done 

 is to correct errors in care by moderating the diet and enforcing 



