406. 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 pexza/ 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 “cestrum” 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 having very little 
contractile power, and the protrusion having existed so 
long. At the same time I warned him ofa certain amount 
of risk that would attend the operation. He decided to 
have the bitch back as she was, and then upon the day 
fixed for her return consented to the operation, which I 
