4o6 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



time keeping the thumb firmly across the body of the 

 penis immediately behind the erectile enlargements. 



A gum elastic catheter, according to the size required, 

 having been dipped in oil, is inserted into the urethral 

 canal and gently passed backwards. Very often a sudden 

 check will be felt, which is due to spasmodic contraction at 

 the base of the penial bone, but if the operator pauses a 

 moment or two, relaxation takes place, and the final pas- 

 sage into the bladder is accomplished without further 

 obstacle. In some instances the instrument is more easily 

 passed without the wire or vice versd. 



Catheterism can also be performed in the bitch. 



VAGINOTOMY. 



In protracted or chronic cases of vaginal inversion, it 

 becomes necessary at times to remove the protruded portion 

 by amputation (vaginotomy). The operation is not difficult, 

 and is usually successful. In 1884 an aged toy bitch was 

 sent to my infirmary from a considerable distance, with 

 instructions to remove a polypus, the owner having con- 

 sulted, as he stated, " his doggie book on the matter." My 

 examination revealed it to be a chronic case of inversion. 

 The usual treatment of plugging was resorted to, but owing 

 to the advent of "oestrum" shortly afterwards, it was 

 necessary in a few days after the return of the inversion 

 and insertion of the sponge, to remove the latter, when the 

 protrusion speedily followed. I subsequently wrote to the 

 owner, informing him that amputation was the only measure 

 to effect a permanent cure, the vagina iiaving very little 

 contractile power, and the protrusion having existed so 

 long. At the same time I warned him of a certain amount 

 of risk that would attend the operation. He decided to 

 have the bitch back as she was, and then upon the day 

 iixed for her return consented to the operation, which I 



