INFLAMMATION OF THE PKEPUCE IN OXEN. 
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held open by sewing them to the neighbouring skin, an operation which 
is not difficult if the sheath be divided on its under surface. 
Hering divided the cutaneous portions of the prepuce in a stallion 
which had difficulty in erection ; four months later he completely excised 
them; but as the prepuce contracted and caused the penis when in a state 
of erection to be directed backwards the animal had difficulty in covering, 
which was only removed by once more dividing the cicatrices and pre¬ 
venting reunion. 
(2.) INFLAMMATION OF THE PREPUCE IN OXEN. 
The prepuce of the ox, formed by a simple infolding of the skin, presents a 
long narrow sheath, the entrance to which is small, and is provided with a 
bunch of long strong hairs. The inner fold consists of mucous membrane, 
presenting some resemblance to the cutis, and displaying numerous follicles 
and papilli. It lies in longitudinal folds. The prepuce is moved by two 
muscles, so as to render the act of urination easier. 
The chief sufferers from inflammation of the prepuce are oxen, bulls 
are very seldom affected. Oxen do not usually extend the penis during 
urination, especially if the opening of the prepuce has already become 
painful and constricted on account of inflammation. The smegma, usually 
decomposed and soaked in urine, accumulates in increasing quantities 
under the prepuce, until finally it impedes urination. Accidental injuries 
to the sheath may also prevent protrusion of the penis, and give rise to 
this disease. Gurlt found a head of wheat in the inflamed sheath. An 
abnormally irritant condition of the urine has also been regarded as a 
cause. 
Dotter saw enzootic outbreaks of this form of inflammation which he 
regarded as due to contagion. Robert had a similar experience ; he regarded 
the straw, which was very bad, as the offending material. After provision 
of fresh bedding and disinfection of the paving the outbreak ceased. 
Albrecht noted a case of croupous inflammation of the visceral layer of the 
sheath ; he laid open the parts and removed a mass of fibrous material and 
broken down tissue saturated with urine and of very offensive odour. Recovery 
followed the free use of lysol and creolin in six weeks. 
Symptoms and course. A longish swelling, which is hot and painful, 
first appears at the front of the sheath, and may extend as fai as the 
scrotum. Urination is difficult, and the urine is passed in drops or in a 
fine stream. The prepuce cannot be drawn back over the penis ; phimosis 
exists. In the prepuce a grey-black smegma is found, the removal of 
which gives pain. The bladder, when examined per anum, is found 
greatly distended and painful on pressure. Colic soon sets in. The 
animals stop feeding, may show fever, and if help be not soon afforded 
may die. 
The risks are numerous. There is, firstly, the chance of necrosis of 
