Amputation of the Penis 249 



hidden and the urethral mucous membrane is brought into 

 apposition with the integument. These sutures are contin- 

 ued down to the base of the triangle, the catheter is removed 

 and the organ is excised by a cut extending in a slightly 

 oblique direction from below upward and forward. A 

 straight needle armed with a silk suture is passed through 

 the margin of the urethral wound, the adjacent fibrous cap- 

 sule of the corpus cavernosum, and across but not through 

 the erectile tissue, inserted again into the superior portion 

 of the fibrous capsule and carried out through the adjacent 

 dorsal vessels and the skin, as shown in Fig. 63, and, bring- 

 ing the ends of the sutures together, tied in such a way that 

 the urethral mucous membrane and the margin of the skin 

 are brought into immediate contact and the blood vessels se- 

 curely closed in such a manner as to guard against hemor- 

 rhage. By this plan when the sutures are tied, the cut bor- 

 ders of the fibrous envelope are brought together over the 

 erectile tissue, thus preventing hemorrhage from that tissue 

 also. As many sutures are inserted as may be required to 

 close the wound securely and finally leave every part wholly 

 covered with epithelium. By this plan stricture of the ure- 

 thra in the process of healing is avoided. The tourniquet is 

 removed and the patient released. 



The principles here laid down are applicable and advisa- 

 ble in the amputation of the penis in all domestic animals. 

 In the dog, the point of amputation should be above the 

 penial bone. 



Once the amputation has been successfully completed, the 

 healing of the stump should be favored by keeping the parts 

 scrupulously clean with frequent douchings. The patient 

 is much better if given abundant exercise, avoiding con- 

 stantly, as far as may be practicable, any sexual excitation 

 because erection strains the sutures, engorges the wound 

 area, and seriously impedes the healing process. The diet 

 should be scant and laxative. 



