X.— AMPUTATION OF THE PENIS IN THE HORSE. 



Some days ago a horse was sent here, on which I at once performed 

 ablation of the penis. I take advantage of this case to recapitulate the 

 particulars of operation, to examine the various available methods of 

 performing it, and to indicate that which I prefer. 



As a general rule, grave disorders of the penis are distinctly rare in 

 the horse. We see little else but tumours and paralysis, still wrongly 

 described under the old name of paraphimosis. 



Epithelial tumours — the cancroids — almost always spring from the 

 lower portion of the penis, from its anterior surface, or from the corona 

 glandis. They commence as indurated nodules, which more or less 

 rapidly extend in area and depth, ulcerate, and discharge a greyish pus 

 streaked with blood. Sometimes the ulcer spreads and perforates the 

 glans, whilst the penis gradually becomes indurated ; sometimes the 

 process is of a markedly hypertrophic character. Exuberant bleeding 

 granulations mask the ulcer, suppuration is abundant, haemorrhage 

 occurs from time to time, and staling may become difficult. The lower 

 portion of the penis grows dense, hard, and painful, forming in advance 

 of the sheath an irregular mass, which may attain the size of a child's 

 head. 



Sarcomata are much rarer than epitheliomata. In the few published 

 cases the tumour developed towards the base of the sheath, and 

 extended to the penis. 



Apart from these malignant tumours I should draw attention to 

 verrucous new growths, which also develop on the free extremity of the 

 penis, sometimes become of large size, compress the urethra, and cause 

 difficulty in staling, or even retention of urine. These papillomata have 

 special characteristics by which they may be distinguished from epithe- 

 liomata and sarcomata. They are usually multiple, firm, hard, whitish, 

 and of regular consistency throughout. They do not invade the sub- 

 tegumental tissues, and permanently retain their early characteristics 

 without becoming ulcerated. When very numerous they may become 

 confluent, and, by the enormous development of their connective-tissue 



