PHYMOSIS OR ENCLOSURE OF THE PENIS 81 



organs of reproduction, there are troubles connected with the appendages 

 of the penis which are directly attributable to the diminished function of 

 that organ. 



PHYMOSIS, OR ENCLOSURE OF THE PENIS 



In this condition the penis becomes enclosed within the sheath, and 

 incapable of being protruded. In new-born colts it is not due to any 

 disease or contraction of the sheath, or enlargement of the penis, but to 

 the folding back of the organ itself. Here interruption to the discharge 

 of urine results in overdistention of the bladder, when the young creature 

 is prompted to posture for urination in the manner adopted by adults, 

 but, being unable to obtain relief, the attendant's notice is attracted to 

 the difficulty under which the colt is labouring. 



Phymosis in the adult horse or gelding arises from other causes, 

 among which may be named: external injuries such as occur from the 

 kicks of other animals, blows in jumping timber, or travelling through 

 brush and scrub, accidental or surgical wounds, as a sequel to castration, 

 the existence of an abscess, of warts, tumours of various kinds, or swelling 

 of the penis itself from venereal and other diseases. 



From the time of castration the penis of the gelding makes but little 

 growth, and it has been observed that it actually wastes if the operation 

 is performed while adolescent. In the emasculated animal protrusion of 

 the penis is neither so frequent nor complete as in the stallion, and, as a 

 result, the sebaceous secretion, which in the entire horse affords a suitable 

 lubricant to the organ, becomes thick and unhealthy in character, and 

 accumulates in hard, black, irregular masses. It, moreover, mechanically 

 irritates the sheath and parts enclosed in it, thus preventing its withdrawal, 

 and causing at the same time interference with the discharge of urine. 



Geldings, more particularly those of the heavy draught breeds, when 

 well fed and insufficiently exercised, are predisposed to swelling of the 

 sheath, which in many instances is excited by the accumulation of the 

 secretion above alluded to within the folds of the integument. Horses 

 at grass are sometimes stung by insects upon which they have lain, and 

 the resulting tumefaction of the sheath interferes with or altogether pre- 

 cludes the extrusion of the penis. 



Symptoms. Swelling of the parts is invariably such as to attract 

 early attention. The other symptoms will depend upon the cause out of 

 which the disease arises. In some cases, where the enlargement is gradually 

 progressive, there is but little pain, but in cases of sudden occurrence, with 

 rapid swelling, there may be sudden uneasiness shown by frequent attempts 



VOL. II. 40 



