392 
INFLAMMATION OF THE PEEPUCE IN OXEN. 
the piepuce and penis; sloughing of large portions of the penis has often 
been observed. Then there is the danger of infiltration of urine into the 
subcutaneous tissues, causing septic cellulitis, gangrene, and severe 
general disturbance from absorption of inflammatory and septic products. 
T inally, rupture of the bladder may be threatened. The condition is, 
therefore, m no way trivial, and imperatively calls for early treatment. 
Treatment consists in cleansing and making patent the orifice of the 
piepuce to allow of urine escaping ; if the entrance is too much swollen 
and no urine is passed, the prepuce must be laid open. As the animal 
strikes out furiously when the penis is handled, it should be placed in 
stocks, or some restraint applied. If stocks are unavailable, restive 
animals may be placed against the wall and held in this position by 
several strong men; Pflug recommends casting such animals. On account 
of the great pain, it is often impossible to free the entrance to the sheath 
m the standing position. The bunch of hairs must first be cut away, and 
lukewarm oil injected into the prepuce, whilst its outer surface is rubbed 
with the same material. If urination is moderately free, the animal may 
t en be allowed to rise, and the task of emptying the prepuce left until 
next day. To facilitate this, Pflug first injects lukewarm water, solution 
of acetate of lead or Goulard’s solution. Others recommend a saturated 
solution of chloride of lime. Permanganate of potash (3-5 per cent.), 
sulphate of zinc, tannic acid (3-5 percent.), are also useful. The points 
to be kept m view are to cleanse the sheath as completely as possible, to 
remove decomposing material, or destroy its injurious properties by dis¬ 
infectants, and to combat the inflammation. Bathing the sheath, or fre¬ 
quently washing its surface with lukewarm water, is therefore first 
indicated. Necrotic parts should be removed, or their separation assisted 
by bathing with lukewarm aromatic fluids, or frequently washing them 
with warm carbolic lotion. 
In most cases it is necessary to lay open the prepuce. A strong probe- 
pointed tenotome is introduced, and the cut made either downwards or to 
one side. Pflug prefers the latter direction on account of the parts not 
being so easily moistened by urine, which is likely to produce* fresh 
When the subcutaneous tissue about the sheath is infiltrated with 
urme incisions are made, the parts pressed to remove the contents, and 
the skin and wounds frequently cleansed. 
(3.) INFLAMMATION OF THE PREPUCE IN SWINE. 
The prepuce of the boar consists of an inversion of the skin, but the inner 
On Up f ° rmed ?/ ““ f ien fbrane containing numerous lymph follicles. 
; t e upper wall of the sheath, and close in front of its opening, is the 
umbilical pouch (nabelbeutel) formed by folding of the mucous membrane * 
