498 Affections of the Bladder 



presence of tlie affection in question bj the usual symptoms of 

 disease. The animal is dull and more or less off his feed, 

 holding himself aloof from his fellows, and generally lying 

 down. When roused or lifted up, the peculiar nature of his 

 malady will become manifest at once by the painful efforts made 

 to pass his urine. His breathing is quickened, and he strains 

 almost constantly, whilst only a few drops are observed to come 

 away. If the patient be now turned up on his rump, and the 

 penis drawn out, it will generally be found that the urethra, or 

 at least that portion of it comprised in the vermiform appendage, 

 is choked up with the sediment of which I have already spoken. 

 This sediment differs considerably in its character, varying from 

 the appearance of very fine gravel to that of the finest sand. 

 Until this is removed, it will be seen at once that there is little 

 to be done in the Avay of remedy ; and the urethral termination 

 is so very small that to remove it is often a matter of much 

 diflficulty. When of the consistence of fine sand, however, a 

 little patient manipulation will often be crowned with the 

 required success. As there is commonly some local inflamma- 

 tion of the neighbouring parts, it is always advisable to com- 

 mence proceedings by fomentation with warm water ; after- 

 wards gently pressing the urethra so as to force out the 

 accumulated deposit. Having succeeded either wholly or par- 

 tially in this, a little sweet oil may then be applied to the parts, 

 and a dose of opening medicine administered. Either castor- 

 oil or fine linseed-oil — in doses of 2 to 6 ounces according to the 

 size and strength of the patient — are preferable to the ordinary 

 saline aperients ; and where much constitutional disturbance is 

 present, I always add to this dose from 8 to 16 grains of the 

 extract of belladonna. On the following day the urethra must 

 be again examined, and, if necessary, the proceeding already 

 described may be repeated, the medicinal treatment being now 

 made to consist of the free exhibition of some of the alkaline 

 carbonates, and the best is, unquestionably, the carbonate of potass, 

 as the salts of potass are for the most part perfectly soluble, and will 

 readily pass off dissolved in the urine. Carbonate of potass 

 may then be given in doses of half a dram to a dram, two or 

 three times a day, dissolved in water, either alone, or in combi- 

 nation with the belladonna or other febrifuge medicines, as may 

 be found necessary. And here I would remark that, without 

 proper regard to regimen, no treatment will be of much avail. 

 Air, exercise, proper diet, and the free use of water, are of the 

 utmost importance. Physicians tell us that the lithates are 

 sometimes thrown down, not from undue acidity of the urine, 

 but simply from that fluid not containing the due quantity of 

 water to hold them in solution, and that in such cases a tumbler 



