AMPUTATION OF THE PENIS IN THE HORSE. 



6r 



the line of amputation, and on the lower surface of the penis, the skin 

 being first divided, then the subjacent tissues, the suspensory ligaments, 

 corpora cavernosa, and erectile tissue ; the urethra is next cut through 

 transversel}-, opposite the base of the \/, its inferior surface dissected 

 free from all the exposed tissues, the edges of which are afterwards 

 sutured to those of the cutaneous wound ; lastly, the penis is cut 

 through opposite the point where the urethra was divided, and the 

 chief vessels closed by means of ligatures or forceps. Or, again, a pre- 

 ferable method so far as checking haemorrhage is concerned, consists 

 in applying an elastic ligature opposite the base of the wound, and 

 amputating the penis an inch or so below. 



At the present time I employ this latter method exclusively. The 

 procedure is as follows : 



The animal having been cast on the left side, the right hind limb 



Fig. 7. — Amputation of the penis. 



IS lifted, carried forward, and iixed to the corresponding forearm, as in 

 castration ; the penis is disinfected, together with the posterior abdo- 

 minal and scrotal regions. 



Having introduced a catheter into the urethra for a distance of ten 

 to twelve inches, an assistant covers the free portion of the penis with 

 a cloth, and draws it gently forwards. Another assistant, placed behind 

 the patient, draws the skin covering the base of the penis towards the 

 perinaeum. A ligature is then applied to the base of the penis. 



A little above the point where I intend to amputate I trace on the 

 inferior surface of the organ two lines, starting from above the urethra 

 and diverging towards their free ends (an inverted V in fact), the 

 extremities being about i] to i^ inches apart. The base of these 



