DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 313 



Causes. — Alterations of the genital organs which interfere 

 mechanically with copulation are the usual causes of complete 

 sterility. Most common among them are: injuries of the testi- 

 cles, penis, or prepuce resulting in chronic inflammation; paraly- 

 sis; tumors of various kinds in these organs; malformations and 

 defects of a congenital nature such as cryptorchidry, atresia, 

 fissure. Temporary sterility may be due to the following causes : 

 infectious diseases; masturbation; excessive use for service; idle- 

 ness resulting in overfatness; painful conditions in the loins, 

 croup, stifle or hock which make it difficult or impossible for the 

 animal to mount. 



Treatment. — There is little that can be done to relieve im- 

 potency. In most cases it is better to castrate affected animals, 

 for they are worthless as sires. Impotent bulls should be tested 

 for tuberculosis, as this disease has frequently been found to in- 

 volve the genital organs. 



In cases of temporary sterility the cause should be removed and 

 remedial measures directed toward the seat of the trouble (see 

 causes) . Proper feed, exercise, and care in arranging the number 

 and times of service will be helpful in correcting faulty body pro- 

 cesses, and will aid the animal to retain his prepotency for a longer 

 period. 



BARRENNESS 



Barrenness is the inability of the female to produce living young. 

 It may be either (1) absolute or (2) relative. In the first form 

 conception does not occur. In the second form the prospective 

 mother is unable to bring the fetus to term and abortion or 

 premature birth eventually occurs. Strictly speaking, the 

 latter form does not constitute true barrenness; it does, however, 

 from a practical standpoint for the owner receives no return on 

 his investment. 



Causes. — As barrenness is a symptom of disease and not a 

 disease itself, it can have a great many causes. Probably the 

 commonest cause is some disease of the uterus. This organ is 

 often the seat of a chronic inflammation (metritis) due to in- 

 fection introduced as the result of retained placenta, abortion, 

 or maltreatment. Purulent metritis is present in about 50 per 

 cent, of the cows that are barren. In these cases considerable 

 quantities of pus will be found in the womb on examination. 



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