34 
PURE BRED DRAFT HORSES 
Malignant Hyphomycosis of Horses.—Leeches 
(Hyphomykosia restruens equi) 
“In India as well as on the Sunda Islands a disease occurs among 
horses which is known by the name ‘bursatte’ . . . According to 
Lyford and Bitting this same disease occurs quite frequently in North 
America among horses and mules where it is known as “leeches” while 
in Europe only a single case has been observed by Drouin and Renon in 
Afort.” Hutyra and Marek. 72 
Orchitis 
“Inflammation of the testicles . . . arises from a great variety of 
causes. In all animals, external wounds are liable to cause inflammations 
of the gland especially when occurring during the active breeding season. 
Scrotal wounds, especially those penetrating the peritoneal sac of the 
testicle are very liable to terminate in an inflammation of the glandular 
tissue. 
“Contusions of the testicles without wounds of the skin are more or 
less common . . . and may at all times lead to orchitis . . . Con¬ 
tusions of the testicles . . . and of a very dangerous character, also 
occur occasionally from kicks by the mare at time of service. 
“Orchitis . . . occur, in some cases, independent of any history of 
traumatism, as an apparently idiopathic malady . . . It is not im¬ 
probable that such untraced cases are due to infection of some character 
passing through the vas deferens into the testicle . . . This may be 
favored by excessive coition or by any debilitating influences. 
“In other cases, the disease is indirectly traceable to an infectious 
malady ... we meet, not infrequently, with strangles abscesses in 
the testicle or about it. In these, the ordinary symptoms of strangles 
are usually present in other portions of the body, ... In the con¬ 
tagious cellulitis, or pink eye . . . orchitis is the rule. Orchitis 
. . . has been recorded also as a result of glanders. 
“From whatever cause orchitis may arise, it should always be treated 
as a very serious disease, in so far as the reproductive powers of the 
animal are concerned, and should be handled with the greatest possible 
promptness and care. As with all diseases of the sexual organs, it is 
especially true of those of the testicles that the fundamental principle in 
their handling should be the removal, as far as possible, of all sexual 
excitement. The animal may be exercised, and, possibly, benefited there¬ 
by, but it should be done in a manner to avoid any sexual stimulation. 
In most stallions the application of the stud bridle is in itself a sexual 
suggestion because the animal constantly associates it with service. 
“So far as possible, a breeding male affected with disease of the genital 
organs should be removed from sight or sound of any female of his kind, 
especially from those which are in estrum. Every arousal of sexual 
appetite intensifies any existing irritation or disease in the sexual organs 
and successful handling of these accidents and diseases demands, first 
of all, sexual quietude. 
“Wounds to the scrotum of male breeding animals should have very 
careful surgical attention. Strict antiseptic precautions should be taken 
from the very outset and continued until all danger to the glands has 
been safely passed. 
“Contusions of the testicles should be avoided by the removal of the 
causes. 
Laminitis ( Founder ) 
“By this name we designate a peculiar inflammation of the pododerm 
at the toe. It arises suddenly in well-nourished and apparently healthy 
