Sterility of the Female 153 



water at about 100 " F. and maintained at this temperature until 

 the examination can be made. This should be done with as 

 little delay as practicable. 



The spermatozoa should be abundant and show very vigorous 

 movements. Even then, it is at times difficult to judge exactly. 

 We have examined semen from stallions of very low fertility, 

 which contained abundant motile spermatozoa. The low fertility 

 apparently depended upon a want of vigor or virility in the sper- 

 matozoa, not distinguishable under the microscope. But the 

 presence of abundant living spermatozoa leads to the valuable 

 conclusion that the glands are functioning and that the fertility 

 may be heightened or perfected by bringing about a higher de- 

 gree of bodily vigor of the male through properly regulated food, 

 work and other agents and the virility and fecundating power of 

 the spermatozoa themselves raised thereb}? to the normal. 



B. Sterility of the Female.. 



The consideration of sterility in the female may be outlined as 

 follows : 



I. Diseases and Defects of the Ovaries. 



1. Congenital Defects. 



2. Oophoritis. 



3. Tuberculosis. 



4. Tumors. 



5. Edema. 



6. Cystic and Fibrous Degeneration of the Ovaries. Nym- 

 phomania. 



7. Persistence and Hypertrophy of the Corpus I,uteum. 



8. Senile Atrophy. 



9. Debilitating Diseases, Emaciation, Overwork. 



II. Defects and Diseases of the Oviducts, Uterus, 



Vagina and Vulva. 



1 . Arrests in Development. 



2. Salpingitis and Occlusion of the Oviducts. 



3. Metritis. 



4. Edema of the Uterine Walls. 



5. Tumors of the Genital Tract and of the Broad I^igaments. 



