INFLAMMATION OF SHEATH 697 



until a severe type of inflammation develops, and with it often the 

 formation of abscesses. 



Symptoms. — The principal symptoms are local. The prepuce 

 and the surrounding sheath tissues become swollen, painful, ten- 

 der, hot, red, and angry in appearance. The swelling of the sheath 

 may so encroach upon the canal that there is considerable difficulty 

 in passing the urine. The urine passing down over the inflamed 

 tissues produces a quite severe irritation and pain. 



If the animal be restrained, and an effort made to examine the 

 diseased sheath, it will be found that the swelUng is very hot and 

 tender, examination causing the animal to show signs of a consider- 

 able degree of pain. When squeezed upon, the swollen sheath is 

 found to be filled with a disagreeable looking, foul-smelling, cheese- 

 like substance, which is the decomposed retained secretions of the 

 sheath. 



In those cases where the disease interferes with the flow of urine 

 there may be secondary symptoms produced, which are those of 

 retention of urine. The bladder may be found to be distended and 

 filled with urine and marked constitutional symptoms may develop. 



Treatment. — The animal should be thrown upon his back and 

 firmly held by a couple of assistants. Add enough of one of the 

 tar disinfectants to a pail of hot water to make about a 2 or 3 per 

 cent, solution, and with a clean cloth carefully wash the region of 

 the sheath, and remove all accumulated secretions and dirt from 

 around the preputial opening. 



The collection of decomposing material in the sheath itself 

 should next be removed. This may be accomplished by introduc- 

 ing the finger through the opening and carefully breaking down 

 and scraping out the mass of material found within. To make a 

 thorough cleansing it is best to introduce the nozzle of a syringe and 

 carefully irrigate the canal with the disinfectant solution. It is 

 highly important that this accumulated material be thoroughly 

 removed, and, if necessary, the opening in the front of the sheath 

 should be enlarged by making an incision at one or both lateral 

 margins. 



After everything has been once thoroughly cleaned out, it is 

 advisable to irrigate the sheath daily for a week or two until the 

 condition returns to normal. 



