A CASE OF AMPUTATION OF THE PENIS. 
By Mr. Jos. Woodger. 
In looking over the pages of The VETERINARIAN for the last 
and preceding months, I find in each number a case of amputation 
of the penis ; but the different methods which the operators had re- 
course to for the performance of the operation, have induced me to 
forward the present case, with a few remarks upon the operation. 
The case forwarded by Mr. R. W. Dyer, for August last, was 
represented as an operation simple in its character, and one that 
might be easily performed ; but the case forwarded by Professor 
Dick, for the last month, being performed by Mr. John Spencer, 
was quoted in a somewhat more formidable description, which, I 
think, would be calculated to deter the junior practitioner from 
having recourse to the operation. 
During my practice I have been called upon to perform the 
operation several times; but the one 1 now allude to was performed 
upon a thorough-bred entire horse, seven years old, the property 
of J. M. Coates, Esq. Woodland Place, St. John’s Wood. He 
was brought to me for my opinion a few days previous to the 
operation being performed. Upon examination, I found a scirrhous 
enlargement surrounding the penis, situated about six inches from 
the glans, and about three times the natural thickness of the 
penis where it was situated, which rendered it impossible for the 
horse to retract it; consequently, the appearance was most un- 
sightly, which prevented the owner from working him. He in- 
formed me that it had been existing for nine months, and had been 
under the care of different practitioners, but with no success : 
I suggested amputation, to which he most readily assented. 
The horse was cast and secured on August 23d last. I took 
the glans in my left hand, and with my right made one bold cut, 
which severed about nine inches of the penis, with the exception 
of a little of the outer covering, which I left to hold until I had 
slightly cauterized the bleeding vessels. 
The animal was then allowed to get up. He was kept in a cool 
box upon low diet for eight days, and then he was put to gentle 
work, and has been doing well to the present period. 
In the various cases upon which I have operated, I have not found 
it necessary to delay the operation by securing the larger vessels, 
but simply applied the actual cautery to the whole, and then allowed 
the animal to get up ; for I should apprehend but little danger if the 
