THE URINARY ORGANS 263 



If a little urine finds its way through the urethral wound 

 n the male, extra care must be taken as regards cleanliness, 

 but no alarm need be felt so long as the lower part remains 

 open. If much pain is shown, morphia should be given 

 hypodermically, or some sedative to the mucous membrane 

 of the bladder (such as urotropine or hyoscyamus) ad- 

 ministered by the mouth. A little blood may possibly be 

 passed with the urine during the first few days after the 

 operation, but that need cause no anxiety. 



The Prostate Gland. 



The prostate gland is situated on the neck of the bladder, 

 and in old dogs is apt to become enlarged, and, by causing 

 pressure on the urethra, give rise to pain and obstruct the 

 flow of urine. It may even suppurate, and ultimately give 

 rise to septicaemia, or the abscess may burst into the abdo- 

 minal cavity and set up peritonitis. 



It can be felt per rectiiin as a two-lobed body, about i or 

 2 inches from the anus. When enlarged or causing trouble, 

 pressure upon it will give rise to pain. 



Symptoms. — The pain arising from this condition is often 

 excessive, the patient refusing to move, and when forced to 

 do so walking with a straddling gait, looking very anxious, 

 not eating food, and having difficulty in passing urine. It 

 is this latter symptom which makes one suspect the trouble. 

 Examination per rectum, or even pressure in the perineal and 

 pelvic region, will cause pain. 



Treatment. — If this is the first attack, medicinal remedies 

 may be tried. Warm opiate enemas should be administered, 

 a full dose of physic given, and urotropine, hyoscyamus, or 

 other urinary sedatives given internally. If the patient has 

 been attacked before, removal of one or both testicles (as 

 first suggested by White of Philadelphia in 1894 for human 

 patients) should be at once undertaken (see Castration, 



