ially in making an opening through the
roof of the vagina just above the neck of the womb, then following with
the hand each horn of the womb until the ovary on that side is reached
and grasped between the lips of forceps and twisted off. It might be
torn off by an ecraseur especially constructed for the purpose. The
straining that follows the operation may be checked by ounce doses of
laudanum, and any risk of protrusion of the bowels may be obviated by
applying the truss advised to prevent eversion of the womb. To further
prevent the pressure of the abdominal contents against the vaginal wound
the mare should be tied short and high for twenty-four or forty-eight
hours, after which I have found it best to remove the truss and allow
the privilege of lying down. Another important point is to give bran
mashes and other laxative diet only, and in moderate quantity, for a
fortnight, and to unload the rectum by copious injections of warm water
in case impaction is imminent.

STERILITY.

Sterility may be in the male or in the female. If due to the stallion,
then all the mares put to him remain barren; if the fault is in the
mare, she alone fails to conceive, while other mares served by the same
stallion get in foal.

In the stallion sterility may be due to the following causes: (a)
Imperfect development of the testicles, as in cases in which they are
retained within the abdomen; (b) inflammation of the testicles,
resulting in induration; (c) fatty degeneration of the testicles, in
stallions liberally fed on starchy feed and not sufficiently exercised;
(d) fatty degeneration of the excretory ducts of the testicles (_vasa
deferentia_); (e) inflammation or ulceration of these ducts; (f)
inflammation or ulceration of the mucous membrane covering the penis;
(g) injuries to the penis from blows (often causing paralysis); (h)
warty growths on the end of the penis; (i) tumors of other kinds
(largely pigmentary), affecting the testicles or penis; (j) nervous
diseases which abolish the sexual appetite or that control the muscles
which are essential to the act of coition; (k) azoturia with resulting
weakness or paralysis of the muscles of the loins or the front of the
thigh (above the stifle); (l) ossification (_anchylosis_) of the
joints of the back or loins, which render the animal unable to rear or
mount; (m) spavins, ringbones, or other painful affections of the hind
limbs, the pain of which in mounting causes the animal to sud