314 DOGS: THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



the urinal orifice, and sometimes almost impedes the pas- 

 sage of the water. The symptom being neglected, the 

 running becomes less consistent. The part is frequently- 

 erect, and the animal persists in licking it. The organ is 

 now painful, and should be without delay attended to. 

 If, however, no heed be taken of the creature's necessity, 

 to which its instinct directs the proprietors eye, swellings 

 appear about the sheath, and blood is mingled with the 

 exudation. Sores then appear externally, and the mem- 

 ber becomes a mass of acute disease, often of a frightful 

 character. 



If, when the discharge first appears, the dog be taken 

 on the knee, and its back being slightly bent, so as to 

 bring the hind-legs forward if, having the animal in this 

 position, the sheath be retracted, so as to expose the 

 glans, it is generally found to be inflamed. When the 

 case is slight, the inflammation is confined to the base of 

 the member, just around that part where the lining mem- 

 brane is reflected upon the inner surface of the prepuce. 

 As far back, therefore, as it can be exposed, a little red- 

 ness may be discovered ; but this will be so distributed 

 as to convince us that the interior of the sheath is also 

 involved. All the inflammation that can be detected 

 will not be sufficient to account for the quantity of pus 

 that is thrown out ; and some persons have therefore 

 allowed the disease to progress, imagining there was no- 

 thing present requiring to be treated. This is always a 

 mistake. The lining membrane of the prepuce in these 

 animals cannot be readily laid bare, and that part is 



