SUCCESSFUL OPERATION FOR VENTRAL HERNIA. 317 
accompanied with an inability of unsheathing the organ and a 
difficulty in urinating, have not unfrequently come under our 
notice ; but these have generally succeeded upon an injury 
which has been produced in the act of coition by the penis 
forcibly striking against the tuberosities of the ischium. 
No such cause appears in the history of this case : the disease, 
however, had evidently been going on for some time, and 
became somewhat suddenly aggravated. The penis throughout 
its entire length was considerably increased in size from inflam- 
matory action ; and just above the part excised by Mr. Lepper, 
the urethra was found to be dilated into a pouch-like cavity, 
and to contain a large quantity of calcareous matter, which 
completely blocked up the passage. Superior to this point, 
and throughout the whole course of the canal, much inflam- 
mation, accompanied with considerable thickening of the 
mucous coat, existed, and adventitious membranes and puru- 
lent collections were likewise met with. In several other 
places also, and particularly where the false membranes 
were found, earthy matter was deposited. Was it that this 
peculiar condition of the canal was caused by the continual 
passage through it of urine charged with earthy salts, thus 
giving rise to irritation, subsequent inflammation, and partial 
obliteration ? 
The coats of the bladder were much thickened, and its 
mucous membrane was eroded here and there, being likewise 
covered in patches with layers of effused lymph. The vessels 
of this membrane had, some short time previous to 
death, given way, leading to the escape into the bladder of 
upwards of six pounds of pure blood, which we found in a 
coagulated state. This condition of the bladder had evidently 
increased the animal’s sufferings, by inducing in part those 
painful efforts to micturate which marked the progress of 
the case during the latter period of his life.] 
SUCCESSFUL OPERATION FOR VENTRAL 
HERNIA. 
By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford. 
I believe it has often been said, that to speak with cer- 
tainty of the success of an operation, it is at all times necessary 
to produce a large number of cases. Ventral hernia has fre- 
quently been commented upon in your pages, and in almost 
every case an operation for its reduction has proved successful, 
xxix. 41 
