CANCER OF THE PENIS. AMPUTATION. 
437 
tion with the general mass. It was about two inches long, 
and completely surrounded the urethra, and composed of can- 
cerous matter effused into the cells of the corpus spongiosum. 
The septa of this structure, when examined with a low-power 
magnifying glass, showed that the morbid matter was effused 
into the cells, looking like a collection of granular masses of 
deposit, the septa intervening. This portion was not by any 
means of such dense structure as the other masses, and was 
only moderately vascular. 
Treatment . — No effusion took place into the surrounding 
parts to those removed. Mild aperients with sedatives were 
occasionally given, and at first the animal was fed on succulent 
diet, and afterwards with carrots, hay, &c. 
He passed his urine without trouble, kept very lively in 
spirits and went on well until March 30th, when the atten- 
dant found him in the early morning lying on his side, with- 
out any inclination to get up. On visiting him I was struck 
by the peculiar anxious state of his countenance, and the 
entire absence of any symptoms of pain, either abdominal or 
thoracic. Passing the hand via rectum, I found the bladder 
empty. 
After administering some medicine, I left him for a short 
time, when I was again sent for, but he died before I reached 
him. 
Post-mortem examination . — Having had the body removed 
to my own premises, in the presence of an eminent surgeon, 
who has frequently attended such examinations, I cut through 
the abdominal muscles, and thus brought to light the exist- 
ence of a low degree of peritonitis throughout the cavity, and 
a large quantity of sanguineous fluid and flocculi of cancerous 
deposit floating among the intestines. The bladder at its 
fundus was ruptured, and close by was attached by adhesion 
to the intestine. 
This at once accounted for the absence of pain during the 
last few hours, as the rupture probably took place during the 
night, and the haemorrhage continuing slowly, death ensued 
without any marked symptom. The bladder was increased 
to about four times its natural thickness, and at its fundus 
cancerous ulceration of its coats had taken place. The vessels 
giving way, lesion of its coats ensued, followed by internal 
haemorrhage and death. At its cervix there was also another 
large cancerous patch, but none existed down the course of 
the urethra, nor was the latter constricted in any part. 
Healthy restoration had taken place at the part amputated, 
and also on the inner side of the thigh. The whole of the 
other internal organs were perfectly healthy. 
XLin. 30 
