The Abdomen 263 



very similar to those of prostatitis, but devoid of febrile disturbance. 

 Dysuria is marked, the urine being passed frequently and in small 

 quantities. Each act of urination, particularly if strained, may or 

 may not be immediately followed by hematuria. When hemorrhage 

 takes place it is produced as a consequence of the hypertrophy, 

 the pressure from which, constantly exercised on the prostatic ven- 

 ous plexus causes stasis of the circulation. This plexus being situ- 

 ated superficially is easily ruptured by straining. The bladder be- 

 coming distended, the animal exhibits great distress and later acute 

 pain. As an immediate efifect the bladder may rupture, but if the 

 distension is not great enough to result in this lesion, and the con- 

 dition goes unrelieved, more remote effects are apt to follow, the 

 stagnation of urine resulting in cystitis or hydronephrosis. Usu- 

 ally, constipation is also present, and may go on to complete copro- 

 stasis. This symptom is also the result of pressure by the enlarged 

 gland. When the latter is very voluminous it is sometimes possible 

 to feel it in thin subjects by abdominal palpation in the pelvic region, 

 but generally speaking, digital exploration by way of the rectum 

 is necessary to verify the diagnosis. Passage of the catheter is 

 met with obstruction in the pelvic region. As already stated, perin- 

 eal enlargements must always be considered as of possible prostatic 

 origin. 



Treatment. The animal must first be relieved of retained urine 

 or feces. This is accomplished in the one case by catheterization, 

 or if necessary by aspiration or puncture of the bladder, and in the 

 other case by rectal injections and the use of the rectal scoop. 



Medication has little effect on hypertrophic enlargements. 

 Mueller recommends injection into the gland by way of the rectum 

 of a solution of iodine composed of potassium iodide 2 parts, tinc- 

 ture of iodine 30 parts, water 60 parts. This preparation is in- 

 jected at intervals of eight to fourteen days by means of a hypo- 

 dermic syringe with a fine, long needle attached. Castration has 

 permanent remedial effect. This has been proven both experiment- 

 ally and clinically, first and most fully by White in America, and 

 by Griffiths almost simultaneously in England. Helferich cites 

 Guyon, Legueu, Pravone, Prezwalski, and Sackur to the effect that 

 this operation induces atrophy of the gland. It is probable that 

 changes in the vascularity of the gland play some part in its re- 

 duction after castration, as the process of atrophy which takes place 



