DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 571 



If the morbid growths are very extensive, nothing but amputation of the 

 penis or the use of corrosive subhmate will remove them. Severe haemorrhage 

 sometimes follows both of these measures, but it seldom goes on to a dangerous 

 extent. Still it is scarcely advisable for any one but a professional man to 

 undertake the operation. 



CANCER OF THE PENIS 



Cancer of the kind known as epithelioma sometimes attacks the penis of 

 the horse, and if allowed to remain attains to great dimensions, making it 

 impossible to withdraw the organ into the sheath. It generally begins at 

 or near the urethral orifice, and when once diagnosed as a malignant growth 

 no time should be lost in amputating the affected portion. It is not 

 attended with serious danger, htemorrhage being provided against by a 

 competent surgeon, and precautions taken to avoid injury and swelling to 

 the sheath from the discharges. 



GoNORRHCEA may affect either sex, but geldings are usually exempt unless 

 by some traumatic cause, as the descent of small calculi, when urethral 

 ix'ritation is set up, Avhich stimulates the true gonorrhoeal discharge. 



In stallions it is usually the I'esult of too much sexual intercourse during 

 the service season, and mares are infected in coitu. In this country it rarely 

 passes the limits of a simple clap, but on the Continent it at times becomes 

 malignant and even fatal. 



Treatment consists in careful cleaning of the affected membranes by 

 syringing with warm water, to which has been added some mild astringent 

 as sulphate of zinc, alum, or boric acid. A cooling dose of physic may be 

 necessary, and a horse so affected should not be used for stud purposes till 

 perfectly recovered. 



CHAPTER XXIX 



diseases op the nervous system 



PAKA.LTSIS OF THE LIPS— EPILEPSY AND CONVULSIONS — MEGRIMS — MAD STAGGERS — SUN- 

 STROKE — RABIES, OR MADNESS — TETANUS, LOCK-JAW — APOPLEXY AND PARALYSIS — 

 STRING-HALT. 



Except in hot climates these are not very numerous. In India a 

 disease known as kumree with paralysis of the loins is described by Captain 

 Meyrick, Captain Hayes and others, and is comparatively common. In the 

 British Islands a somewhat similar affection is met with in the rich grazing 

 districts, and affects chiefly the heavy types of horse. As two and three 



