112 Veterbiary Obstetrics 



Like biirsattee of other parts, it is active in temperate coun- 

 tries only during the hot season and undergoes apparent spon- 

 taneous recovery upon the advent of winter, to remain dormant 

 until the return of warm weather. It thus incidentally assumes 

 its greatest activity during the breeding season and interferes 

 seriously with stud duties. Aside from the remote po.ssibility of 

 transmi.ssion, it is very noticeable, and owners of mares naturally 

 do not care to breed them to a stallion so palpably diseased. 

 Furthermore, the sexual excitement incidental to breeding 

 greatly influences the disease and adds to its virulence, each 

 erection of the penis, with the con.sequent congestion of the 

 organ, causing the bur.sattee growth to bleed. 



The handling of the disease consists of the destruction or re- 

 moval of all infected tissues and the avoidance of venereal excite- 

 ment. If undertaken early, the disease is usually confined to 

 the urethral tube, filling it and protruding beyond the navicular 

 fossa, and may extend up higher in the urethra. Whatever the 

 extent, the diseased tissues are to be excised or curetted away 

 and the parts well cauterized with silver nitrate or the thermo- 

 cautery, after which the wound may be dressed with iodoform, 

 which apparently exerts a very beneficial influence upon the 

 course of the disease, should any remain. 



Before operating, it is well to apply local anaesthesia, though 

 the sensitiveness of the part is not marked, as is usually the case 

 with bursattic growths. Successful handling demands the with- 

 drawal of the animal from the stud and the prevention of sex- 

 ual excitement. If necessary, erection of the penis should be 

 prevented by the application of a stallion guard. 



At the preputial ring, at that point where the opening of the 

 urethral tube rests when the penis is completely withdrawn, the 

 secondary bursattic growth is more amenable to management. 

 Here the operator can freely excise the diseased tissue without 

 danger of unpleasant deformity. 



After excision or destruction of the diseased tissues, the parts 

 should be kept scrupulously clean, to which end it is advisable ta 

 wash the penis, prepuce and sheath twice daily, with soap and 

 water, to which '4 (n i '/( of carbolic acid may be advantageou.sly 

 added. After cleansing, the parts may be dressed with powdered 

 iodoform, or iodoform ointment. Before applying the iodoform^ 

 any suspicious areas may be cauterized with stick nitrate of silver. 



