CHAPTER VI. 

 GENITOURINARY ORGANS. 



In the domestic ruminants the penis exhibits a peculiar S-shaped 

 curve, situated in the sub-pubic region (Fig. 226), so that when 

 operation on the urethra, or even on the extremity of the penis, 

 becomes necessary the organ must first of all be withdrawn. 



The manipulation is as follows : — 



The animal having been fixed by the head and front legs in a 

 standing position, and if possible thrust against a wall, the operator 

 stands on its left side. With his right hand he seizes the penis 

 and the skin immediately in front of the scrotum and pushes them 

 forward in the direction of the opening of the sheath. 



The extremity is nipped between the first fingers of the left hand, 

 and to prevent the glans slipping or escaping when the right hand 

 is removed (for the purpose of taking a fresh hold of the body of 

 the penis further back) the operator may reverse the free extremity 

 of the penis so that it forms a loop, and thus secure a firmer hold. 

 With the right hand the skin is thrust backward, a new portion 

 of the sheath fixed, and the organ again pushed forward. In this 

 way the penis is gradually extended. When the animal is cast, this 

 manipulation is much easier. 



URETHROTOMY IN THE OX. 



Urethrotomy consists in incising the urethra, usually for the pur- 

 pose of extracting a foreign body or calculus which impedes micturi- 

 tion. In the ox, calculi may become fixed either in the intra-pelvic 

 portion of the urethra, though this is very rare ; in the ischial 

 curvature, or more commonly at some point in the S-shaped curve 

 of the penis; or sometimes even within the sheath itself. 



Urethrotomy is performed in the ischial or scrotal region, accord- 

 ing to the point where the obstruction exists. 



ISCHIAL URETHROTOMY. 



Urethrotomy is performed in the ischial region either to displace 

 or indirectly to abstract a foreign body fixed in the membranous 



