118 SPECIAL CATTLE THERAPY 



PHYMOSIS 



Phymosis, or imprisonment of the penis in the 

 sheath, occurs in bulls as a distinct clinical phenom- 

 enon. Aside from direct injuries there are probably 

 two chief reasons for the frequency of its occurrence. 

 One is the fact that micturition is commonly performed 

 in the sheath without protruding the penis; the other 

 is the superabundance of long, heavy hair at the pre- 

 putial orifice. The anatomical proportionment of 

 loose, flabby tissue around the prepuce is not ample, 

 allowing but little space for infiltration with inflam- 

 matory exudates and fluids. Even moderate swelling 

 in the prepuce of the bull markedly diminishes the 

 size of the opening which is normally not very large 

 in a relative sense. The presence of the hairy tuft 

 which surrounds and depends from the orifice favors 

 the retention of filth and the development of infec- 

 tions. 



Phymosis makes its appearance, usually, in a rather 

 rapid manner. A firm, rounded swelling is seen along 

 the sheath, from the orifice to ten or twelve inches 

 posteriorly. When fully developed the swelling may 

 involve the subcutaneous tissues in front of the sheath 

 so that the orifice appears to lie fiat against the ab- 

 domen. 



There is a discharge of muco-purulent matter or 

 even of thick pus, which sticks to the hair around the 

 parts, making, before long, a matted, filthy barrier to 

 drainage. 



If the swelling is of sufficient intensity to seriously 

 interfere Avith micturition the bull shows mild colicky 

 pains as a result of distention of the urinary bladder. 

 If the condition has been neglected for several days 



