THE CATHETER PASSABLE IN DOGS. 
17 
opinion. I obtained some female catheters of various sizes, which 
are but slightly different in form from those commonly used by the 
human surgeon. Mine are simply a little more straight, and n 
other particulars essentially alike; at the same time 1 pro¬ 
cured some gum elastic male catheters of small dimensions from 
number one to six. These I have repeatedly employed, and can 
with confidence assert that their use is not simply devoid of diffi¬ 
culty, but more easy and safe in their application than are the in¬ 
struments of a like nature in our larger patients. Some small 
acquaintance with anatomy, and a little regard for the excitable 
nature of the brute, render their service free from every danger. 
No accident or evil consequence has resulted from my now esta¬ 
blished custom of resorting to the catheter for the alleviation of 
both dog and bitch. In the female, perhaps, the operation is most 
expeditiously performed, for in the male there is always en¬ 
countered some temporary resistance just where the canal begins 
to take its course along the bone of the penis; the instrument 
therefore must be rather small. A number three will generally suit 
a lady’s spaniel of moderate size, but the Newfoundland will re¬ 
quire a number six made of twice the ordinary length of those 
employed in human practice. When the obstacle is met, the 
practitioner should pause until the spasmodic contraction excited 
in the part has subsided, and probably his patience may be taxed 
for ten minutes before this takes place. After that, no further 
resistance will be experienced, but the hand must guide the tube 
when it passes the perineum, where its passage can be readily felt. 
All force must be rejected; none is necessary, nor does the animal, 
after the first fear of restraint is overcome, ever resist. 
With regard to the bitch, I always let the animal stand upon 
her legs, simply having an assistant to hold the head and engage 
the attention of the creature. The meatus lies about half an inch 
or two inches within the pelvis, the distance varying with the size 
of the dog. The line of the urethra is rather forward than down¬ 
ward, though, of course, in both directions. After having once or 
twice passed the instrument, it is surprising how very readily this 
conjectured impossibility is performed. I think so little of the 
difficulties, that I have no inclination to dilate upon the few pre¬ 
cautions which are required to remove them. I may, however, 
here state, that, when grasping the penis of the dog, a handkerchief 
or a portion of tow will be required to render the hold secure; and 
the wire should, before it is introduced, be withdrawn, while the 
catheter ought to be moistened with olive oil to facilitate its 
passage, as the canal is not unfrequently devoid of mucus. 
As to the necessity of occasionally employing the catheter, I 
have had such ample proof, that, did not analogy assure us of its 
VOL. XXII. D 
