152 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



by making an opening into the urethra beneath the anus and over 

 the arch of the hip bone, and from this orifice exploring the ure- 

 thra with fine forceps to the neck of the bladder or until the stone 

 has been reached and extracted. The operation requires a very 

 accurate knowledge of the parts, owing to the small size of the 

 canal (urethra to be opened and the great thickness of erectile 

 tissue to be cut through, while the free flow of blood is blinding 

 to the operator. A staff should always be passed up through the 

 urethra from the lower wound, if such has been made, or, in case 

 of its absence, through the whole length of the penis, that organ 

 having been drawn out of its sheath until the S-shaped curve has 

 been effaced and the course of the canal rendered straight. Upon 

 the end of this staff the incision can be made with far more con- 

 fidence and certainty. The operation can only be undertaken by 

 a skilled veterinary anatomist, but the hints given above may be 

 valuable in showing the stock owner when he is being properly 

 served in such a case. 



In outlying districts, where no skilled operator can be had, 

 a transverse incision may be made with a clean sharp knife through 

 the root of the penis, just over the arch of the hip bone, when the 

 urine will flow out in a full stream. The attendant bleeding may 

 be ignored, or if profuse it may be checked by packing the wound 

 firmly with cotton wool for some hours. The urine will continue 

 to escape by the wound, and the ox should be fattened for the 

 butcher. 



The immediate relief is not to be looked upon as a permanent 

 cure, as the calculi in the affected ox are usually numerous and later 

 attacks are therefore to be looked for. Hence it is desirable to fatten 

 and kill such cases after a successful operation. If a breeding animal 

 is too valuable to be killed, he should be subjected to preventive meas- 

 ures, as laid down under Stone in the kidney. 



It should be added that when the bladder is filled with a soft 

 magma a catheter may be introduced through the whole length of the 

 urethra, to be employed in pumping water into the bladder. This 

 water is extracted through the same channel when it has been charged 

 with the suspended solids by manipulations of the bladder with the 

 oiled hand introduced through the rectum. 



Calculi, or Gravel, in the Prepuce, or Sheath. This is usually a 

 collection of gravel, or a soft, putty-like material which causes a dis- 

 tinct swelling of the sheath and gives it a soft, doughy feeling when 

 handled. It may be removed in part by oiled fingers introduced into 

 the cavity, assisted by manipulation from without, or a tube may be 

 inserted until the end extends behind the collection and water 

 pumped in until the whole mass has ibeen evacuated. Should even 

 this fail of success the sheath may be slit open from the orifice back 

 in the median line below until the offending matter can be reached 

 and removed. In all such cases the interior of the sheath should be 

 finally lubricated with sweet oil or vaseline. It is unnecessary fo 

 stitch up the wound made in the sheath. (See Inflammation of the 

 Sheath). 



