CHAPTER VII.. Male Genital Organs.

MALE GENITAL ORGANS.

The scrotum, the vaginal sheath, the testicles, the vas deferens, the vesiculæ seminales, the prostate, and Cowper’s glands may all become the seat of disease.

The scrotum and testicles seldom reveal more than mechanical injuries of external origin, producing wounds and cuts and, in the case of severe contusions, hæmatoma of the scrotum, of the vaginal sheath, and of the testicles. Inflammation of the testicle, that is to say, traumatic orchitis, is rare; on the other hand, Moussu has several times seen tuberculous orchitis, for which he has operated. This, however, was in the boar. These different lesions, the last named excepted, usually heal with rest and the application of antiseptic dressings, anodyne and resolvent lotions.

Breeders seldom retain more entire animals than are strictly necessary for reproduction. The others are castrated, and this alone explains why the treatment of genital diseases in male animals of any species is rare.

TUMOURS OF THE TESTICLE.

Of the genital diseases which possess real clinical interest the most important are tumours of the testicle. These occur not only in male animals, but also in those which have undergone the operation of bistournage.

It might à priori be believed that in an animal of the latter class the testicle had been completely destroyed, not only from the physical, but from the pathological point of view. This, however, is by no means the case, and Cruzel has described, under the erroneous designation of sarcocele, tumours of the testicle which develop in oxen of various ages.

Moussu has had a similar experience with animals of from four to six years of age which had been carefully operated on.

These tumours, the origin of which is unknown, develop at the expense of the rudiments of the atrophied testicle. They vary in character, and Moussu has only observed tumours of a type different from that of the testicle itself, containing tracts of carcinomatous, sarcomatous, and fibrous tissue. They also appear to vary greatly in gravity, for, although the cases seen by Moussu had become generalised in a few months, Cruzel states that these tumours may remain stationary for several years.

=The symptoms= consist in progressive enlargement of the scrotal region and the appearance of a tumour surrounded by œdematous or lardaceous tissue.

The tumour, which is confined to one side, increases in size, is bosselated and adherent at points to the surface of the skin, while it is insensitive or only slightly painful to the touch.

In a few months it may increase to the size of a child’s head. The animals have difficulty in moving or lying down, the hind limb on the affected side is abducted, and the animal usually lies on its chest and abdomen. The patient rapidly loses flesh, although the appetite remains good.

When the growth is removed, it is easy to prove that the tumour has developed in the atrophied mass of testicular tissue, and that it remains suspended from the end of the cord.

=The diagnosis= of tumour of the testicle is extremely easy, for the condition cannot be mistaken for a hæmatoma or for a scrotal abscess.

=The prognosis= necessarily depends on the nature of the tumour, but as it is impossible to determine this point before extirpation, the prognosis should always be regarded as very grave.

=Treatment.= Whatever the nature of the tumour, ablation is advisable. If it is of a benign character, recovery may be complete and permanent, but if it is malignant, generalisation will rapidly ensue. Before interfering surgically, however, it is essential to examine the inguinal, pelvic, and sublumbar lymphatic glands, to make sure that they are not affected. If they prove to be already invaded, an operation should be avoided.

Even despite such precautions and the apparent absence of any glandular infection, operation may be followed by generalisation in a few months, although for a short time the condition may seem to have greatly improved. No special indications need be given beyond those suggested as necessary in dealing with all kinds of tumours, whatever their nature.

The skin should be freely divided, that the tumour may be thoroughly dissected out and no fragments be overlooked. The mass of the tumour having been dissected free, the écraseur is applied to the pedicle or the cord. Enucleation of the tumour may be very difficult on account of the presence of numerous ramifications or attachments, but the closest attention must be given to removing every fragment if a fresh local growth is to be avoided. In the event of fragments being left, a fresh growth is certain to occur.

Generalisation, which may extend to all the viscera (lymphatic glands, liver, spleen, lungs, pleura, peritoneum, heart, etc.), is indicated by rapid wasting, fever, acceleration of breathing, digestive disturbance, and sometimes coughing, etc.

Local new growths assume the form of ulcerating swellings. In practice, if the general condition can be improved for a short time, it is advisable to slaughter the animal.

ACCESSORY GLANDS OF THE GENITAL APPARATUS.

(PROSTATE, VESICULAR SEMINALES, COWPER’S GLANDS.)

Inflammatory or other diseases of the above glands are most frequent in entire animals. As a group they are uncommon, and are still ill-recognised and ill-described, being seldom identified except on post-mortem examination.

The cause of inflammation of the prostate, of the vesiculæ seminales, and of Cowper’s glands is probably an ascending infection of the urethra and neighbouring channels, a fact which explains the comparative rarity of such conditions in castrated animals.

The pathogenic germs penetrate from the urethra into the excretory ducts of the glands, obtain a lodgment in the culs-de-sac of the glands themselves, and thus produce simple or suppurative inflammation.

=The symptoms= may easily be mistaken, to some extent at least, for those of acute cystitis or cystitis due to the presence of a calculus, and it is only by rectal examination that the diagnosis can be made.

The first symptom is defective micturition, which occurs in jets, is intermittent and painful, and sometimes causes slight groaning. It is accompanied by vesical colic, spasmodic lifting of the hind legs, and more or less unsuccessful expulsive efforts.

These symptoms are of reflex or mechanical origin, and are due either to direct compression of the urethra by an hypertrophied and inflamed gland, or to spasm of the vesical sphincter. The urine passed, unlike that in cases of acute cystitis or in cystitis due to calculus, is of a normal character. Rectal examination usually reveals distention of the bladder, and hypertrophy and exceptional sensitiveness at certain points.

If the painful and hypertrophied area is over the neck of the bladder, this indicates that the lobes of the prostate are affected. If, however, the affected parts are situated on the sides of the neck and along the posterior pointed end of the bladder (Fig. 239), the vesiculæ seminales are affected; finally, if the painful points are directly above the ischial arch and below the sphincter ani, Cowper’s glands are the seat of disease (Fig. 240).

To diagnose these conditions requires very close and careful examination. They may easily be mistaken for acute cystitis, though the character of the urine should suggest doubts and lead to rectal examination.

Although they do not endanger the animal’s life, these conditions give rise to such serious inconvenience as often to render entire animals useless for stud purposes.

Local =treatment= is impossible, and the practitioner is restricted to the use of anodynes, balsamic preparations and diuretics. The treatment, in fact, differs little from that of cystitis. In cases of suppuration of Cowper’s glands, the abscess usually forms just below the anus and close to the median line. Thus the diagnosis may be confirmed by capillary puncture, the part being laid open if necessary.