Absence of Estrum 199 



in cows which had previously suffered from parturient paresis 

 and then showed dumb estrum with sinking of the broad pelvic 

 ligaments. In one instance these phenomena were associated 

 with a persistent yellow body in the right gland. In five of 

 these cases, in spite of extreme sinking of the broad ligaments of 

 the pelvis and marked bilateral cystic disease, there was not a 

 trace of estrum to be seen. 



In one dumb estrual cow, presumed to have been 6 months 

 pregnant and showing extreme sinking of the broad ligaments, 

 there was present in the right ovary a large cyst and, in addition, 

 an extensive pyometra with purulent discharge. In another 

 dumb estrum cow, affected with extreme sinking of the broad 

 ligaments, the two ovaries hung far down in the peritoneal cavity 

 and each contained a large cyst, in addition to which there was 

 a perivaginal abscess present. 



A fat young cow, a f^w hours subsequent to normal parturition, 

 exhibited sexual excitement and attempted to mount the milker. 

 The broad ligaments resumed their normal position very promptly 

 but sunk again to an extreme degree on the sixth day and re- 

 mained permanent thereafter, while estrum failed entirely to 

 recur. In the right ovary there was recognized a cyst the size 

 of one's fist, in the left a cyst the size of a large hazelnut. 



One observes now and then, in fat cows or deep milkers which 

 are kept stabled, a marked sinking of the broad ligaments of the 

 pelvis with large cysts in the ovaries without any symptoms of 

 nymphomania. The latter tends to appear first after the animal 

 has run at pasture for several weeks. In addition to the symp- 

 toms of cystic degeneration already related, the following phe- 

 nomena are of great clinical interest. 



C. Prolapsus Vagina. 

 There occurs with relative frequency in non-pregnant cows, 

 seldom in heifers, far more frequently in dumb estrual cows, an 

 habitual prolapse of the vagina. According to our investiga- 

 tions, extending over a number of years, at least 50 % of the 

 cases of prolapse of the vagina occur in nymphomaniac animals, 

 which must generally be referred to the persistent occurrence of 

 small or large ovarian cysts, seldom to cysto-fibrous degeneration 

 of the ovaries or to ovarial cysts in combination with chronic 

 catarrhal or purulent endometritis. We have good proof that 



