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 610 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



Injuries and Diseases of the Penis. 



Causes. — The penis or yard of the stallion more particularly is 

 liable to injury, from being kicked iri cohering, or sometimes it gets 

 injured by awkwardness of the groom in serving mares ; also from 

 being cruelly struck with a whip or stick while in a state of erection. 

 Warts and excrescences frequently cover the surface of the organ. 



Symptoms. — We may have injuries of more or less severity, from 

 a slight scratch to deep and severe laceration of its substance; or, 

 on the other hand, the blow may have merely bruised, without 

 breaking, the skin, producing want of power to retract it, and often 

 accompanied by enormous swelling qf the organ. When long out, 

 the glans assumes a reddish-brown color, and the surface is cold, 

 with very little sensibility. This is known a paraphymosis. Some- 

 times these swellings subside, but thickening and enlargement of 

 the lower part remains, preventing retraction within the sheath, 

 proving very troublesome and unsightly. Warty excrescences are 

 easily recognized, and may occur on any part of the organ. 



Treatment. — Injuries from kicks and blows must be treated on 

 the general principles pf subduing inflammation. If it hangs pendu- 

 lous, it must be supported by a broad bandage round the body, 

 and copious effusion with cold water, or iced water in summer, con- 

 stantly applied ; if very hot and tender, accompanied by fever and 

 constitutional disturbance, hot fomentations may be more applica- 

 ble ; Whichever is employed must be persevered in for some length 

 of time. Purgatives should be given, and low diet, for some time. 



Unless there is extensive laceration of the substance of the 

 organ, nothing more than, cold applications are required; should it 

 prove tardy in healing, Goulard's lotion, or a mild solution of sul- 

 phate of zinc, will prove beneficial. When it continues, and the 

 tumefaction increases, free and deep longitudinal scarification 

 must be made on its surface, and repeated in a few days, if neces- 

 sary. Sometimes charcoal poultices are required to cleanse the 

 wounds and soothe the part. 



Foulness of the Sheath and Yard. 



In geldings the penis becomes diminished considerably in size, 

 and, from want of the sexual desire, seldom protrude it without its 

 Covering, the sheath ; consequently the sebaceous secretion of the 

 glands in the prepuce accumulate, forming a black, soft, fetid sub- 

 stance, with a strong persistent uric odor. This sometimes be- 

 comes irritating, and gives rise to uneasiness, and should be oc- 

 casionally washed out with warm water and a soft sponge, taking 



