746 DISEASES AND ABNORMALITIES OF THE YOUNG ANIMAL. 



to prevent it from closing by introducing a dilator, and keeping it there 

 (removing it, of com^se, from time to time) until there is no danger of 

 closure. 



When the obliteration is only partial, the case is not so serious ; and, 

 provided the urine escapes at all freely, surgical interference may not 

 be necessary — at least until breeding-time arrives. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

 Imperforate Prepuce. 



Imperforate prepuce of new-born creatures is evidently a very unusual 

 occurrence, as it is scarcely mentioned in veterinary literature. Brug- 

 none notices it as occurring in Foals, and he recommends that an 

 artificial opening be made in the prepuce where the natural aperture 

 should be ; the lips of the wound are to be kept apart by any suitable 

 contrivance, which may be secured in situ by attaching tapes to it, and 

 passing these round the body, securing them over the loins. When this 

 artificial opening is not made, the same grave results follow as in com- 

 plete occlusion of the vulva. 



This operation is successful only when the urethral canal is patent 

 throughout its length ; when it is occluded also, the operation will no 

 longer be attended with benefit, and the operator must then endeavour 

 to discover where the obstruction is, and either overcome it, or make an 

 opening somewhere for the escape of the urine. 



In some instances, when the orifice of the urethra is occluded, the 

 urine escapes by a congenital opening in some part of the canal. When 

 this opening exists at its upper surface, the defect receives the name of 

 episjxidias, and when at its lower kypospaclias. Such a malformation 

 has been seen in the Dog, Lamb, and Goat ; it is not of much import- 

 ance, so far as the flow of urine is concerned. If the opening is near 

 the end of the urethra, the urine runs into the prepuce, and passes 

 thence ; but if it is more behind, between the scrotum and ischium, it 

 then flows over the skin, abrades it, and dust and dirt accumulate; 

 this, together with the repulsive odour of the decomposed urine, renders 

 the case very unpleasant to the eye and nose. 



Treatment is only too often unsuccessful, and it is always troublesome. 

 It is least so when the opening is near the termination of the urethra, 

 as then the defect is more accessible and easier remedied. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

 Occlusion of the Eyelids. 



Occlusion of the eyelids has been witnessed in Foals, Calves, and 

 other young animals. Of course we do not allude to the natural occlu- 

 sion of the eyehds of Puppies, Kittens, and young Rabbits, which pre- 

 vents their seeing for some days after birth. 



This accidental occlusion of the eyelids presents itself in two forms. 

 In one, the margins of the upper and lower eyelids are only adherent ; 

 and in the other the eyelids are, in addition, adherent to the eye itself 

 throughout then- entire surface. 



