INFLAMMATION OF THE PREPUCE IN SWINE AND IN CARNIVORA. 393 
when distended it often attains the size of a hen’s egg. It is lined by squamous 
epithelium, and contains numerous sebaceous and sudoriferous glands, hence 
smegma not infrequently accumulates at this point, and, becoming inspissated, 
may produce “ preputial calculi.” 
% 
In swine, as in the ox, only the castrated animal seems to suffer from 
inflammation of the prepuce; the causes are similar to those in oxen. 
They consist in accumulation of smegma in the prepuce, or in the above- 
mentioned appendix ; if swine were not slaughtered so early in life, the 
condition would probably be seen more frequently. 
Symptoms. The prepuce is swollen, painful, hot, its orifice contracted, 
and not infrequently there is difficulty in urination. A stinking sebaceous 
material escapes on pressure. This material sometimes stops up the pre¬ 
puce, and fills the umbilical pouch, causing it to protrude as a round 
swelling above the end of the penis. 
Treatment is on the same principles as in cattle, and consists in 
evacuation of the sheath and pouch, cleansing and disinfection as far as 
possible. The same materials may be employed as in oxen ; sometimes 
it is necessary to lay open the sheath. 
(4.) INFLAMMATION OF THE PREPUCE IN 
CARNIVORA 
Presents somewhat different features to the same condition in other 
animals. Apart from accidental injuries, preputial inflammation is rare 
in these animals, but dogs suffer frequently from chronic catarrh of the 
inner surface of the prepuce ; indeed, most suffer from it to a limited 
extent. 
Symptoms. The hairs clustered round the opening of the sheath 
appear gummed together, and a purulent material discharges from the 
prepuce. Animals are inclined to lick the affected parts, but apart from 
this there is little disturbance, and no difficulty exists in urination. 
Neither the mucous membrane of the prepuce nor of the glans is much 
altered, and the disease seldom requires treatment except in house-dogs. 
The causes are unknown. The popular idea that the disease is related to 
similar affections in man appears unfounded. 
Treatment demands a good deal of patience. Injections of astringents 
(sulphate or sulphocarbolate of zinc, 1-2 per cent.; tannic acid, 3-5 per 
cent.) diminish the secretion, which, however, returns as soon as the 
treatment ceases. Even painting the inner surface of the prepuce with 
1-5 per cent, nitrate of silver solution is seldom of permanent benefit. 
The owner or attendant may be entrusted with the application of the 
solution, and instructed to use it three or four times a week. 
