. AMPUTATION OF THE PENIS IN THE HORSE. 59 



with success in a horse with enormous papillomata of the glans penis. 

 He introduced into the urethra a metalhc tube, perforated near its free 

 extremity with two holes, through which tapes could be passed and tied 

 over the loins, lixing the tube in position. Towards the centre of the 

 penis he applied a loop of waxed cord, which was gradually drawn tight 

 until, about the eighth day, the lower portion of the penis became 

 detached. The process was hastened by a few strokes of the bistour3\ 



The advantages offered by elastic cords render them preferable to the 

 old forms of ligature. A tube or solid cord, of size proportionate to that 

 of the penis, is chosen. A metallic sound having been introduced into 

 the urethra, one end of the cord is grasped by an assistant and tightly 

 stretched, in which condition it is passed three or four times around the 

 penis at the point to be divided, the crossing of the two ends being 

 united with a tightly tied piece of string. The ligature continues to 

 contract until the tissues are completely divided. If at first well applied, 

 it requires no supervision. The cord gradually cuts the tissues, closing 

 and obliterating the vessels. There is no haemorrhage, and suppuration 

 is trifling. In a case related by Labat division was complete in eleven 

 days; in a horse operated on in my clinique in i88g it occurred on the 

 ninth day. 



Whatever the nature of the material employed, section proceeds 

 very slowly. For this reason more rapid though still bloodless methods 

 have been recommended. 



Direct amputation has often been performed with a sharp-edged 

 firing iron at a white heat. The operation is facilitated by introducing 

 into the urethra a metallic sound. The upper and lower parts of the 

 penis are covered with wet cloths, leaving the operation area exposed. 

 An assistant grasps the free extremity of the penis, exercising moderate 

 traction. A circular line is first traced at the point where section has 

 to be performed, and the tissues are gradually cut through until section 

 is complete. A series of irons heated to the proper temperature are 

 generally necessary. M. Nocard has used the galvanic loop. With 

 this instrument operation is complete in about ten minutes. Some 

 practitioners prefer the ecraseur ; by cutting sufficiently slowly the 

 loss of blood is trifling. The corpus cavernosum, however, offers great 

 resistance to the chain, and sometimes renders it necessary to finally 

 resort to the knife. In man}- cases the chain has broken, and the 

 operator been compelled to use the ligature. M. Trasbot recommended 

 introducing a director into the urethra, and using a small ecraseur, the 

 loop of which is passed round the penis, and shortened daily by means 

 of a special catch engaging with the chain. 



Simple excision with the bistoury is rapid but dangerous. Abundant 



