PHYMOSIS. 527 



the remedial means indicated in slight cases : but when the 

 inflammation runs high, there will be necessity for frequent 

 fomentations ; for cataplasms, which may be retained by a 

 suspensory bandage ; for applying leeches upon the penis ; 

 and in some cases for one or two general bloodlettings. 

 Should the pains experienced be very great, laudanum may be 

 added to the drenches ; the fomentations and poultices may 

 likewise be rendered narcotic. When the testicles become 

 affected, leeches may be oftener applied, and in greater 

 numbers. 



"Astringents and discutients will be required so soon 

 as all pain has left, and the inflammation has abated. We 

 must commence with the weakest. The fumes of vinegar, 

 the vegeto-mineral water, the solution of diacetate of lead, 

 or alum dissolved in strong vinegar, may be employed. 

 Champignon, or other intractable ulcerations, must be touched 

 with lunar caustic.^^ 



PHYMOSIS. 



Phymosis — from (juimog a bridle — denotes that morbid 

 condition of the prepuce or sheath which, from contraction 

 of the orifice, prevents the drawing or exit of the penis. In 

 man, phymosis may arise from natural causes; but in 

 animals I believe it will be found to be always the eff'ect of 

 disease. Our best source of information on the subject is 

 D'Arboval's Dictionary : from this we learn that — 



" Phymosis is, ordinarily, the product either of inflamma- 

 tion and engorgement of the prepuce, rouud about its orifice, 

 or of tumefaction of the glans penis, or of the co-existence*of 

 these morbid states. Blows, kicks, contusions, wounds, ab- 

 scesses within the sheath, the presence of warts or excres- 

 cences of any kind, polypi even, may all be set down as 

 occasional causes. In geldings, the penis becomes dimi- 

 nished in volume and length, so much so in some horses 

 as not to be protruded in the act of staling, in which case 

 the sebaceous secretion furnished by the interior of the pre- 



