DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GEN­
ERATION.
_____________

The diseases of the organs of generation, especially
those of the male, are rare in this country and England.
Cause—castration. They are also rare in non-breeding
females.

A disease—called by the French ‘ Maladie du Coit ’ (a
disease of copulation)—much resembling syphilis in man,
broke out in De Witt county, Illinois, in 1884, the prob­
able cause of which being an imported and infected French
stallion. The disease made its way to Kent county, On­
tario, Canada, in 1887. Great effort was and is being
made to stamp it out. It is as poisonous apparently as
glanders-farcy. It is sometimes followed by one or other
form of this disease (described on page 67).

EQUINE SYPHILIS (MALADIE DU COIT),

Is a specific equine constitutional disease, characterized
by lesions of the urino-genital organs, and communicable
from coition by either affected horse or mare. (Dan.)

It is caused by filth, fatty concretions beneath the pre­
puce, foreign substances within the sheath or urethra,
acrid injections into the urethra, accidents, violence in
copulation, &c. (D’Arboval.)

The disease usually begins at the head of the penis,
extending upward sometimes as far as the lining of the
sheath. At first the parts are tense, shining, and pain­
ful, but as soon as any morbid tissue appears, the lubre-
factive secretion becomes augmented, thickened, and fetid.
Sometimes it is mixed with a whitish whey, when the

122

THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE.

skin of the penis peels off in flakes. Sometimes the dis­
ease consists of small, circumscribed, red patches. These
are succeeded by or converted into little bladders, which,
bursting, leave chancre-like ulcers. When the disease
spreads to the urethra, it causes a communicable discharge
from it. (D’Arboval.)

The mare, usually in eight or nine days, exhibits uter­
ine excitement resembling exaggerated sexual heat. The
vulva becomes swollen; the mucous membrane of the
vulva and vagina is reddened; there is a white, yellow,
grayish, or reddish vaginal discharge, at first of a watery
nature, which soon increases, becoming thicker, sticky,
and viscid, collecting about and soiling the tail and pe-
rinæum. (W. L. Williams.)

Dr. Williams, whose experience is confined to the Illi­
nois outbreak, calls the disease ' Equine Syphilis.’ It is
very insidious at first in the stallion, and is besides very
deceptive—appearing to be cured when it is not. Of its
many bad effects, the worst perhaps is paralysis of the
hind quarters.

According to most authorities there is a benign form
of the disease. M. Rodloff says that the benign and ma­
lignant forms are distinct diseases, and that the former
never appears with the latter except by accident.

Remedy.—Mucilaginous and anodyne vaginal injections
allay irritation in the mare in the early stages. Follow
with astringent injections of zinc or copper sulphates or
silver nitrate. Treat male with similar astringents. Cast.
The blood being very deficient in fibrin, French veterin­
arians prescribe bouillon of ox blood and horse flesh.
Crushed oats and beans should also be serviceable. (Dun.)

For doses, see pages 13 to 29.

Many months often elapse before cure is effected. In
Prussia stallions are not allowed to be used till three
years after recovery.

DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION.         123

INFLAMMATION OF THE MEMBRANE OF THE
PENIS (BALANITIS),

Is contagious, especially when of a specific or impure
form.

Remedy.—Zinc sulphate or lead subacetate, diluted
solutions. Zinc oxide ointment. Laxative. Anodyne in­
jections. Chronic specific cases, often caused by leucor-
rhea in female, accompanied by effusion and pain, require
scarification and continued fomentation. Horse or bull
must be cast and secured. Inflamed ulcerated surfaces
dressed with zinc oxide ointment, carbolized, or mercuric
nitrate ointment. Quiet and rest; dose of physic. Lax­
ative diet. For doses, see pages 13 to 29.

INFLAMMATION OF THE URETHRA (URE-
THRITIS),

Is rare, being peculiar to stallions. Its causes are : Too
frequent acts of copulation; copulation with a female
having inflammation of the vagina, or a vagina small in
proportion to the male organ; irritation of the alimen­
tary canal, caused by drenches, balls of cantharides, &c,
given to reinvigorate the stallion ; irritation of worms in
the rectum; shifting of irritation ; inflammation in the
bladder; retention of urine. (D’Arboval.)

Symptoms.—Horse, in act of staling, looks at flanks,
stamps, switches tail, moaning and showing uneasiness
when through; urethra red, swollen, and moist from dis­
charge. In a few days stales oftener, with increase of
pain and swelling; discharge increases, grows thicker,
turns yellow or green; it may be squeezed out, causing
streaks of blood perhaps; frequent and painful erections;
penis grows curved; engorgement of testicles, spermatic
cords, scrotum, sheath; testicles hang lower, sometimes
swell, growing hard and painful, especially the oblong
attachment called the epididymis; spermatic cord sym-

124                     THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE.

pathizes and presents a mushroom-like aspect; exterior
ulcers and buds on and near lower part of penis; some­
times red, exuberant granulations also. (D’Arboval.)

Remedy.—Copper, zinc, or silver salts injected in dilute
solution, 1 part to 60 of water. Oils of copaiba and euca­
lyptus internally and locally. Prevent occlusion (closing)

Fig. 25. Catheter.

by cautious introduction of catheter. Persistent obstruc­
tion in male, from inflammation or gravel, sometimes re­
quires perineal opening. For doses, see pages 13 to 29.

INFLAMMATION AND CATARRH (LEUCOR-
RHEA) OF THE VAGINA.

Acute inflammation, in the absence of injury, is rare.
In catarrh the discharge is sometimes whey-like, some­
times yellow and even purulent; often, in both cases,
becoming thin, clear, and water-like. The discharge col­
lects and comes away every time the lips of the vulva
open with a sort of gush. In general there is not much,
if any, reddening of the inside of the vagina.

Remedy.—Siphon or syringe the uterus and vagina
with tepid alkaline solutions, and subsequently with dilute

DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION.         125

carbolic acid or zinc sulphate. Belladonna or iodoform
in suppository, or injection where there is excessive secre­
tion or pain. (See Fig. 22.) Copper or iron salts, tur­
pentine internally, especially in delicate subjects or in
obstinate recurring cases associated with tuberculosis.
For doses, see pages 13 to 29.

INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB (METRITIS),

Is rare in the mare. It is usually caused by foaling,
and is accompanied by bloody discharges. Other symp­
toms resemble colic and inflammation of the bowels, but
the suffering is not so great. It is common in cows and
ewes, and is liable to spread by contagion. The inflam-
mation’ sometimes extends to the peritoneum.

Fig. 26. Upper syringe for womb, &c, with screw for various attachments;
lower for hypodermic (under the skin) injections.

Remedy.—Siphon or syringe uterus with tepid water
and antiseptic. Remove remnants of placenta (the after­
birth) or blood clots; treat any wounds antiseptically.
Where walls of uterus are dilated or flaccid, inject solu­
tion of ergot and belladonna tincture. Rugs wrung out
of hot water over loins and abdomen, relieve spasm and
pain. Stilpho-carbolates, sulphites, or hydronaphthol in­
ternally. If bowels are torpid, half dose of physic, with
ginger, gentian, and molasses, and promote effect by lax­
ative injections. Remove urine by catheter. Sustain the
strength by generous diet, tonics, and stimulants. Sepa­
rate from pregnant or suckling animals. Disinfect.

126                      THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE.

HYSTERIA

Is usually caused by sexual heat. Sometimes it is the
result of nervous, convulsive, or spasmodic affections.
Breeding is perhaps the best remedy for sexual heat.

Symptoms.—Clenching jaws, grinding teeth, squint­
ing; unrelaxing spasms alternated with relaxing; kick­
ing, stamping, and other signs of nervous excitement;
sometimes rapid opening and closing of vulva, &c

INFLAMMATION OF THE TESTICLES.

Remedy.—Fomentations, anodynes, a dose of physic,
support testicle. Iodine liniment; potassium iodide in­
ternally. Tubercular form intractable ; castrate in early
stage. For doses, see pages 13 to 29.

PROTRUDED PENIS (PARAPHYMOSIS),

Is sometimes caused by loss of power (paralysis). In
the stallion there are many other causes, such as excessive
copulation, friction before copulation, by rubbing against
female ; kicks and other injuries; introduction into anus;
attempt to cover a 'ringed mare; ’ irritating substances
(medicines) in prepuce; warts, &c.

Remedy.—Amputate if necessary.

Confined (unprotrudable) Penis (phymosis) is very
rare.

Amputation of the Penis is practicable, and is some­
times resorted to as a cure for warts, ulcers, cancer, pro­
trusion, &c.

Cancerous Tumor of the Vulva is recorded. As it
did not yield to treatment, but gradually enlarged till it
filled “two-thirds of the vulva,” the mare was destroyed.
The tumor existed nearly three years.

DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION.         127

Dropsy of the Womb (Hydrometra), causes great
distention of the belly. In a recorded case the uterus
was filled with six quarts of thick, white matter, resem­
bling healthy pus.

Diseases of the Ovaries usually consist of watery or
bloody tumors, sometimes accompanied by dropsy. The
tumors, which sometimes weigh as much as 30 lbs., may
become cancerous.

Abscess of the Scrotum is described by Percivall.
The swelling filled one side of the scrotum of a gelding.
It was opened and then fomented. Cured.

Self-Abuse is not very rare in stallions. The remedy
is a net made for the purpose.

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