INFLAMMATION OF THE PREPUCE IN OXEN. 653 



be held open by sewing them to the neighbouring skin, an operation 

 which is not difficult if the sheath be divided on its under surface. 



Hering divided the cutaneous portions of the prepuce in a stallion 

 which had difficulty in erection ; four months later he completely 

 excised them ; but as the prepuce contracted and caused the penis 

 when in a state of erection to be directed backwards the animal had 

 difficulty in covering, which was only removed by once more dividing 

 the cicatrices and preventing reunion. 



(2.) INFLAMMATION OF THE PREPUCE IN OXEN. 



The prepuce of the ox, formed by a simple infolding of the skin, presents 

 a long narrow sheath, the entrance to which is small, and is provided with 

 a bunch of long strong hairs. The inner fold consists of mucous membrane, 

 presenting some resemblance to the cutis, and displaying numerous follicles 

 and papillae. It lies in longitudinal folds. The prepuce is moved by two 

 muscles, so as to render the act of urination easier. 



The chief sufferers from inflammation of the prepuce are oxen, 

 bulls are less frequently affected. Oxen do not usually extend the 

 penis during urination, especially if the opening of the prepuce has 

 already become painful and constricted on account of inflammation. 

 The smegma, usually decomposed and soaked in urine, accumulates 

 in increasing quantities within the prepuce, until finally it impedes 

 urination. Accidental injuries to the sheath may also prevent 

 protrusion of the penis, and give rise to this disease. Gurlt found a 

 head of wheat in the inflamed sheath. An abnormally irritant 

 condition of the urine has also been regarded as a cause. 



Bulls sometimes suffer from contagious balanitis, contracted 

 in service from cows affected with contagious vaginitis ; and probably 

 bulls convey the infection to cows. Dotter saw enzootic outbreaks 

 of this form of inflammation which he regarded as due to contagion. 

 Robert had a similar experience ; he regarded the straw, which was 

 very bad, as the offending material. After provision of fresh bedding 

 and disinfection of the paving the outbreak ceased. 



Albrecht noted a case of croupous inflammation of the visceral 

 layer of the sheath ; he laid open the parts and removed a mass 

 of fibrous material and broken down tissue saturated with urine 

 and of very offensive odour. Recovery followed the free use of lysol 

 and creolin in six weeks. 



Symptoms and course. A longish swelling, which is hot and 

 painful, first appears at the front of the sheath, and may extend 

 as far as the scrotum. Urination is difficult, and the urine is passed 



