CHAPTER IX. 



special amputatioms. 



Amputation of the Penis. 



INDICATIONS. — This operation is indicated in all of 

 the domestic mammals an'd sometimes in wild animals held 

 in captivity. The conditions necessitating its performance 

 are paraphimosis, gangrene of the free end, hypertrophy of 

 the prepuce, chronic erections and neoplasms. 



i. Paraphimosis is an indication for the operation only 

 after every attempt to return the- penis into the sheath has 

 failed. In the acute swellings which so often physically ob- 

 struct the retraction of the organ into the sheath cavity, the 

 operation is not hurriedly resorted to, but on the contrary it 

 is postponed for a long time in hopes that treatment aiming 

 to preserve the penis will eventually prove successful. Even 

 in those states which clearly are .due to paralysis of the re- 

 tractor muscles, internal, hygienic and topical treatment must 

 first have, failed before the organ is sacrificed to amputation. 

 These recommendations apply to all animals except those 

 whose low value precludes prolonged medical attention. In 

 stallions, bulls, favorite clogs and even valuable geldings, the 

 operation should be delayed indefinitely, during which time 

 constant effort is made to effect a cure. Although in cheap 

 animals immediate relief may sometimes be demanded of the 

 practitioner, there is seldom ever an excuse for an undue 

 hasty decision to amputate the penis of valuable charges. 



The absolutely incurable paraphimosis is, therefore, the 

 only one that calls for amputation. When the incurability 

 is, however, positively established by weeks or even months 

 of unsuccessful treatment, it is the only available remedy. 

 Moreover, it must. not then be delayed, because the flopping, 

 pendulent penis is always exposed to injuries which compli- 

 cate matters if amputation should finally be decided upon. 

 Again, early amputation may sometimes be prudently recom- 

 mended where there are reasons to suspect that the long, 

 careful, diligent treatment that paraphimosis often requires, 

 will not be faithfully carried out to a successful issue. Under 

 such circumstances amputation may as well be decided upon 

 at once. (Treatment see page 252.) 



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