OPERATION FOR URETHRAL CALCULUS IN RUMINANTS. 
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removal. In oxen concretions often occur in hundreds, resembling tapioca 
grains. The urethral wound need not be sutured, though Eeichle and 
Pflug recommend inserting a few silk sutures to assist healing; Ciani 
suggests dividing the urethra from the side, and closing it with close-set 
sutures, to prevent infiltration of urine. The penis is then allowed to 
return to its natural position. To prevent infiltration the outer wound 
is not sutured, but it often occurs in spite of this precaution. Esser, 
therefore, provides for escape of urine and wound discharges by passing 
a drainage-tube forwards, and allowing its anterior end to project in 
front of the scrotum. He says this prevents infiltration of urine, which 
not only checks healing, but constitutes a grave danger to the animal’s 
general health. The operation wound heals in about fourteen days. 
When the calculus cannot be discovered, Ciani recommends com¬ 
pletely dividing the urethra above the obstruction, producing fistula, 
to allow passage of urine, and fattening the animal. 
Urethrotomy in front of the scrotum. 
As already remarked, the calculus almost always lies in the first bend 
of the urethra, just in front of the scrotum, and, therefore, next to the 
skin. This position is inconvenient for operation, and is not often 
selected in Germany; it seems to be more in use in France. Accord¬ 
ing to Peuch and Toussaint, the animal is laid on its left side, the right 
hind foot drawn towards the shoulder, the operator’s left hand passed 
into the sheath, and the penis drawn forward so as to extend the “ S 
shaped bend. Should the stone now be felt, a longitudinal incision is 
made in the urethra and the calculus removed with forceps or a hollow 
probe. If not, the hair is cut away in front of the scrotum, a cross fold 
of skin pinched up, and together with the prepuce is divided. The 
index finger of the left hand is passed into the opening, the penis 
grasped with the bent finger and drawn forward through the wound. 
The rest of the operation is as above. Dupont divides the urethra 
immediately after cutting through the skin. If, after removing the 
stone, no considerable quantity of urine is discharged, the urethra must 
be explored, and, if necessary, the operation repeated again at a higher 
point. Bouley thinks infiltration of urine need scarcely be feared, and 
if it should appear, can be cured by making deep incisions ; abscesses, 
when occurring, are similarly treated. 
Urethrotomy in the ischial region. 
On account of the considerable diameter of the urethra, calculi seldom 
become fixed at this point, and operation is usually performed at the 
ischial arch only to give relief more rapidly and remove the imminent 
danger of rupture of the bladder. Operation here is also easier for the 
unpractised. After providing an exit for the urine, the concretions, which 
lie at a lower point, are allowed to remain. The operation is, therefore, 
