636 INJURIES OF THE URETHRA. 



urethrotomy and amputation of the penis, but it may also result 

 from accidental injury. 



Perforating wounds of the urethra are recognised by urine escaping 

 through them during micturition. They are often associated with 

 symptoms of infiltration of urine, such as inflammation, severe 

 swelling, and a tendency to necrosis. Such a complication is most 

 to be feared when the wound in the mucous membrane is greater 

 than that in the skin, or when the latter is not divided at all, as in 

 bruises. 



Swelling of the mucous membrane of the urethra consequent on 

 inflammation produces symptoms like those of urethral calculus. 

 In oxen the urethra is said to be sometimes ruptured by the passage 

 of urethral calculi. 



Foreign bodies in the urethra produce a like train of symptoms. 

 Bluhm describes the case of a horse which suffered from colic and 

 retention of urine, and allowed the penis to protrude from the sheath. 

 Careful examination discovered in the urethra an oat-head 4 inches 

 in length with awns. 



Strictures are recognised by slowly increasing difficulty in urination. 

 The stream of urine gradually becomes smaller as time elapses, the 

 act is more and more protracted ; finally fluid can only be discharged 

 in drops. Passage of the catheter reveals the position and extent of 

 the stricture. The symptoms produced by urethral calculi generally 

 appear suddenly. 



Purulent catarrh of the urethral mucous membrane in dogs can 

 be recognised by laying the animal on its back, drawing forward 

 the penis (see "Urinary Calculi in the Dog "), and passing a sound 

 or a finger over it with moderate pressure from the corona glandis 

 to the opening of the urethra, when, if urethritis exist, a purulent 

 secretion will be discharged. 



The prognosis is very varied. In injuries, it depends on whether 

 urination is impeded, and whether infiltration of urine exists or is 

 to be expected. Impeded urination may be due either to inflam- 

 matory swelling or stricture. The less the inflammation and 

 infiltration of urine, the more favourable the prognosis. Injuries 

 of the urethra in carnivora are graver than in herbivora, because 

 they readily lead to gangrenous cellulitis. 



Intra-urethral injuries, caused by careless management of the 

 catheter, are seldom dangerous, for the wound opens forwards and 

 hence is not favourable to infiltration of urine. On the other hand 

 injuries by foreign bodies easily induce retention of urine and 

 inflammation in the mucous membrane, with the formation of 



