150 Veterinary Obstetrics 



is most frequent in the stallion, but is possible in all males. We 

 have already referred to the paresis of Dourine as rendering the 

 stallion unable to mount the mare. 



Usually, when any marked lumbar or general paralysis is pres- 

 ent, the male is unable to mount the female and, hence, fails to 

 copulate. In many cases, paralysis of the penis, to which we 

 have already referred, accompanies these affections and also 

 serves to inhibit copulation, even if the animal be able to mount 

 the female. 



Usually this group of affections is not subject to cure or allevia- 

 tion and can be successfully handled only in those extremely rare 

 cases where the cause is removable. 



1 .>. Painful Diseases of the Feet and Limbs or of other 

 parts, which may cause great suffering during coition, serve to 

 render copulation uncertain or to prevent it. Diseases of the 

 bones, like osteoporosis, spavin, ringbone, or painful diseases of 

 the hind feet, such as wounds, quittor and others, serve to cause 

 great and even unendurable pain when a male, like the stallion, 

 is compelled to bear his chief weight on the two posterior mem- 

 bers while mounting the female. Aside from this difficulty, in 

 some of these there is a decreased formation of spermatozoa as 

 well, owing to constitutional disturbances and loss of general 

 vigor. 



13. Diseases or injuries along the inferior part of the chest 

 or abdomen, so situated that they come in contact with the fe- 

 male during the act in a way to cause great pain to the male, 

 tend to cause him to desist from attempts at copulation. 



Their prognosis will vary greatly according to cause, being 

 favorable where the latter can be removed, unfavorable and per- 

 manent where the causes are fixed. 



The handling is along general surgical lines according to con- 

 ditions. 



14. Over Size of the male apparently acts as a bar to copula- 

 tion in some cases. An old bull may become so heavy and fat 

 that it becomes difficult for him to mount cows. Zschokke also 

 suggests that overfilling of the rumen may so weight a bull as to 

 render his mounting a cow exceedingly difficult. The nature of 

 the condition, itself, indicates the rational method of handling. 



15. The Age of the male, especially as related to size and 

 maturity, may affect his ability to copulate. We have already- 



