TUMOURS IN THE URETHRA AND BLADDER. 649 



the origin of turbidity. The symptoms having suggested tumour 

 formation, the diagnosis can be verified by examination per rectum 

 or per vaginam. Not until the new growth attains a considerable 

 size does it give rise to disturbance ; a soft mass may be felt in the 

 bladder, just as a hard mass may be felt when a calculus is present. 

 In mares and cows the swelling may sometimes be felt from the 

 urethra. 



The prognosis is usually unfavourable. Only when the new 

 growth is near the outlet of the urethra and can be removed is 

 prognosis hopeful. Though tumours in other parts of the urethra 

 may occasionally be removed by performing urethrotomy, yet their 

 existence and position can seldom be so exactly determined as to 

 justify operation, especially as more or less serious consequences 

 always ensue. Removal of tumours from the bladder is likewise 

 very difficult, and this of itself sufficiently explains the unfavourable 

 character of the prognosis. 



Treatment. Pedunculated tumours near the free end of the 

 urethra may be torn away with dissecting or dressing forceps. Where 

 in male animals the growth cannot be grasped, the lower wall of the 

 urethra is laid open. The position of the tumour and the practica- 

 bility of operation having been ascertained, removal may sometimes 

 be effected by opening the urethra. Urethrotomy may be resorted 

 to as a palliative when animals have to be kept alive for some time 

 to gain condition or to be prepared for slaughter. 



Cystic tumours are seldom removed, being generally recognised 

 too late for successful operation. Schmidt and Mogford have, 

 however, recommended everting the bladder in mares to remove 

 tumours. Schmidt states having carried this out in the horse, and 

 having removed a polypus weighing 40 ounces. Mogford declares 

 e version of the bladder to be easy in mares. After removing the 

 tumour the bladder is washed out, and the concretions which often 

 occur here removed. Mogford, however, does not give any 

 satisfactory description of his method. 



Nevertheless, both in mares and cows, it is worth trying to dilate 

 the urethra, so as to be able to enter the bladder with polypus forceps 

 or the hand. Though the method is certainly not easy, there seems 

 no doubt that where it succeeds tumours may be removed and recovery 

 effected. Levens thus removed a fibroma as large as a goose's egg, 

 which lay at the neck of the bladder in a cow. Eversion of the bladder 

 would probably often follow dilatation of the urethra if the animal 

 were not chloroformed. Anaesthesia is therefore advisable in horses, 

 and even in cattle, especially if not intended for immediate slaughter. 



