Gravel — Foul Sheath 405 



water once daily, will often remove the concretions. In 

 case the calculi are large or cause much irritation, the 

 best treatment is to remove them surgically. In mares 

 this can easily be done in most cases by passing a 

 "goosebilled" forceps into the bladder through the ure- 

 thra, crushing the calculi and removing the pieces. In 

 males it is necessary to make an incision into the 

 urethra just below the anus, and to pass the forceps 

 into the bladder through this incision. A skilled 

 surgeon should be employed to perform the operation. 



FOUL SHEATH 



In some males, especially wethers, steers and geld- 

 ings, there is sometimes an accumulation of material 

 from the glands of the skin of the sheath, which often 

 hinders the free discharge of urine. This deposit may 

 dilate the sheath and by retaining urine increase the 

 trouble. The sheath may be distended with a decom- 

 posing mass of material that greatly annoys the animal, 

 and causes a general debility through the absorption 

 of the poisons resulting from it. 



The hair or wool should be clipped away, and if nec- 

 essary an incision should be made from the entrance of 

 the sheath backward in order to make a free opening 

 and to remove the irritating material. Wash thor- 

 oughly with warm water and soap, and afterward apply 

 white lotion. In geldings the sheath and penis should 

 be greased with fresh lard or vaseline. In cattle and 

 sheep, it is often necessary to treat several times before 

 the parts return to their normal condition. 



