DISEASES OF CATTLE 161 



opening into the urethra with a sharp knife over the bony arch 

 under the anus, where the pulsations are seen in urinating. This 

 incision is best made in the median line from above downward, but 

 in the absence of a skillful operator a transverse incision with a 

 sharp knife over the bone in the median line until the urine flows 

 with a gush is better than to let the patient die. Considerable blood 

 will be lost and the wound will heal tardily, but the ox will be pre- 

 served. Then the slitting and cleansing of the sheath can be done 

 at leisure, as described above. If the bladder is ruptured, the case 

 is hopeless. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE SHEATH AND PENIS PROM BRUISING. 



This also is an affection of work oxen, caused by the pressure 

 and friction of the sling when the animals are held in the stocks 

 for shoeing. This crushing of both sheath and penis for half an 

 hour or more leads to the development, some hours later, of a hard, 

 hot, and painful swelling, extending from the scrotum as far as the 

 opening of the sheath. Fever sets in, with dry muzzle, red eyes, 

 hard, full, rapid pulse, accelerated breathing, and elevated tempera- 

 ture. The ox stands obstinately with its hind legs drawn apart and 

 urine falling drop by drop from the sheath. Appetite and rumina- 

 tion are suspended. In twenty-four hours there may be indica- 

 tions of advancing gangrene (mortification), the swelling becomes 

 cold, soft, and doughy; it may even crack slightly from the pres- 

 ence of gas; a reddish brown fetid liquid oozes from the swelling, 

 especially around the edges, and if the animal survives it is only with 

 a great loss of substance of the sheath and penis. 



Prevention. The prevention of such an injury is easy. It is 

 only necessary to see that the slings shall not press upon the poste- 

 rior part of the abdomen. They must be kept in front of the sheath. 



Treatment. Treatment, to be effective, must be prompt and 

 judicious. Put a strap around the patient with soft pads in contact 

 with the affected parts, constantly soaked in cold water for at least 

 twenty-four hours. A pound or two of Epsom salts in 4 quarts of 

 hot water should also be given. The second day the parts may be 

 washed with 1 quart of witch-hazel (extract), 2 drams sugar of lead, 

 and 1 ounce laudanum, or the cold water irrigations may be con- 

 tinued if the active inflammation persists. In case the swelling 

 continues hard and resistant, it may be pricked at the most promi- 

 nent points to the depth of one-third of an inch with a lancet first 

 dipped in dilute carbolic acid, and the whole surface should be 

 washed frequently with chlorin water or other antiseptic. 



When softening occurs in the center of a hard mass and fluc- 

 tuation can be felt between two fingers pressed on different parts of 

 such softening, it should be freely opened to let out the putrid pus, 

 and the cavity should be syringecl often with chlorin water. 



In bad cases extensive sloughs of dead skin, of the whole wall 

 of the sheath, and even of the penis, may take place, which will re- 

 quire careful antiseptic treatment. The soaking of the urine into 

 the inflamed and softened tissue and the setting up of putrefactive 



