DISEASES OP THE UEINAEY SYSTEM. 199 



a careful manipulation of the part will almost always effect its 

 removal. This should always be preceded by the application of 

 warm water to relax the tissues, so facilitating the removal of the 

 deposit and reducing the liability of lacerating or bruising the 

 sensitive vermiform appendage. If the obstruction is caused by 

 sabulous material deposited on the lining membrane of the 

 urethra, extending some distance from the appendage, it may be 

 necessary to cut down and remove the deposit, making a longi- 

 tudinal incision in the penis, through the urethra, laying it open 

 from above downwards to the vermiform process. This oper- 

 ation on Wethers is simple and efficacious, but when performed 

 on rams is liable to seriously impair their breeding qualities, 

 although there is considerable difference of opinion on this point, 

 many breeders claiming to have lambs got by rams which have 

 been so mutilated as to have lost the vermiform process entirely. 

 Should the operation on the penis prove of little benefit it must 

 be taken as evidence that the accumulations are so abundant that 

 they occupy not only the urethra but the bladder, ureters and 

 kidneys, in which event no treatment could prove of any service 

 and the animal should be destroyed. In these cases the meat is 

 unfit for human consumption, the tissues of the belly being im- 

 pregnated with urine, the presence of which taints the whole 

 system. 



Where several animals in a flock show symptoms of strang- 

 ury, it is well to inspect their diet, which should be changed and 

 carbonate of potash administered. A frequent cause for urethral 

 calculi in sheep is feeding excessive quantities of mangolds or 

 beets. Where this is the case, change to other rations. 



The following will be found useful in these conditions. 



Take 



Fluid extract of belladonna 1 ounce 



Potassium carbonate 3 ounces 



Water 1 pint 



