262 Veterinary Obstetrics 



There is present a general flaccidity of the genital tract, the 

 mucosa are somewhat injected and there is an increased secretion 

 of mucus. The malady occurs usually in adult or old brood 

 mares, but we have observed it in fillies. As a rule it is observed 

 in idle, highly-fed animals which have grown over-fat. The 

 condition of the genital tract is simply the result of the general 

 atonic state of the animal, caused by injudicious management. 



Along with this condition, the mucous membrane about the 

 OS uteri externum becomes hypertrophied and developes exten- 

 sive flaps of mucous membrane, which hang down over the os 

 like curtains. These may mechanically interfere with insemina- 

 tion, as they act somewhat as valves and may possibly tend to 

 deflect the spermatozoa from the cervical canal. 



The handling of sterility due to these causes must be directed 

 primarily to the removal of the causes themselves and secondarily 

 to relief from the changes which have occurred in the genital 

 canal. , 



First, the patient should be so handled as to restore the normal 

 systemic tone. Idleness and obesity are to be supplanted by ex- 

 ercise, or by work of such a degree as to restore the general 

 tonicity. This is not always easy of accomplishment in a harem 

 of mares used wholly for breeding. In some manner, exercise 

 should be enforced. When at pasture, the food supply should 

 be reduced, hy restricting the area or increasing the number of 

 animals within the enclosure, to such a point that the mare must 

 exert herself to a reasonable degree in order to secure the amount 

 of food necessary to maintain good physical condition, and thus 

 overcome the obesity and want of tone. A quiet mare, especially 

 of the draft breeds, will not exercise unless compelled to do so 

 in order to obtain food, water or shelter. The mere provision of 

 a sufficient area, in which exercise may be taken, by no means 

 assures exercise, except it is made necessary. If abundant food 

 and water are close at hand, the animal will move far enough 

 to procure these and generally stop, content with these. 



Even greater care is essential in order to secure adequate 

 exercise in winter. If abundant food and water are supplied at 

 the stable, the animal is often too content to remain idly near 

 the stall, even though a large enclosure is open to her, whei e 

 vigorous exercise could be had. 



