176 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



sac emptied out with a finger or spoon, after which it should be thor- 

 oughly washed with tepid water. To make the cleansing more thor- 

 ough a catheter or a small rubber tube may be inserted well back into 

 the sheath, and water may be forced through it from a syringe or a run- 

 nel inserted into the other end of the tube and considerably elevated. A 

 fountain syringe, which should be found in every house, answers admira- 

 bly. The sheath may be daily washed out with tepid water, with a 

 suds made with castile soap, or with a weak solution of sulphate of zinc 

 (one-half dram to a quart of water). If these attentions are impossible, 

 most cases, after cleansing, will do well if merely driven through clean 

 water up to the belly once a day^ 



In case the disease has progressed to absolute obstruction, with the 

 bladder ready to rupture any moment, no time must be lost in opening 

 into the urethra with a sharp knife over the bony arch under the anus, 

 where the pulsations are seen in urinating. This incision is best made 

 in the median line from above downward, but in the absence of a skill- 

 ful operator a transverse incision with a sharp knife over the bone in 

 the median line until the urine flows with a gush is better than to let 

 the patient die. Considerable blood will be lost and the wound will 

 heal tardily, but the ox will be preserved. Then the slitting and cleans- 

 ing of the sheath can be done at leisure as described above. In case 

 the bladder is ruptured the case is hopeless. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE SHEATH AND PENIS FROM BRUISING. 



This also is an aJffection of work oxen, caused by the pressure 

 and friction of the sling when the animals are held in the stocks for 

 shoeing. This crushing of both sheath and penis for half an hour or 

 more leads to the development, some hours later, of a hard, hot, and 

 painful swelling, extending from the scrotum as far as the opening of 

 the sheath. Fever sets in, with dry muzzle, red eyes, hard, full, rapid 

 pulse, accelerated breathing and elevated temperature. The ox stands 

 obstinately with his hind legs drawn apart and urine falling drop by 

 drop from the sheath. Appetite and rumination are suspended. In 

 twenty-four hours there may be indications of advancing gangrene 

 (mortification), the swelling becomes cold, soft, and doughy; it may 

 even crack slightly from the presence of gas, a reddish brown fetid 

 liquid oozes from the swelling, especially around the edges, and if the 

 animal survives it is only with a great loss of substance of the sheath 

 and penis. 



The prevention of such an injury is easy. It is only necessary to see 

 that the slings shall not press upon the posterior part of the abdomen. 

 They must be kept in front of the sheath. 



Treatment, to be effectf ' ?, must be prompt and judicious. Put a 

 strap around the patient with soft pads in contact with the affected 

 parts, constantly soaked in cold water for at least twenty-four hours. 

 A pound or two of Epsom salts in 4 quarts of hot water should also be 



