36 RETENTION OF UEINE. 



tions in, or in the vicinity of, the bladder; 4. Calculi or 

 parasites in the urinary passages; 5. Contractions of the 

 latter; 6. Obstructions at the urethral opening, due to con- 

 tractions or to accumulations of the preputial secretion ; 7. 

 Excessive accumulations of faeces in the rectum, prolapsus 

 vaginse, uteri, &c. 



The indirect causes of retention are very numerous. It is 

 an accident much more frequently witnessed in male than 

 female animals. Any causes that may induce the numerous 

 conditions under which it is observed, are of course amongst 

 the mediate or indirect causes of retention, such as the acci- 

 dental administration of potent diuretics, cantharides, &c., 

 inducing inflammatory disorders, mechanical injuries leading 

 to strictures, &c. 



Symptoms. Frequent and ineffectual attempts to urinate, 

 restlessness, pawing, stamping with the hind feet, and look- 

 ing round to the flank. The bladder is felt to be distended 

 with urine by physical exploration. This is performed with 

 the hand or finger according to the animal : in the male by 

 the rectum, and in females through the vagina. 



The special causes of retention are diagnosed by symp- 

 toms described under the separate heads Cystitis, Spasm of 

 the Bladder, Paralysis of the same, Vesical or Urethral Cal- 

 culi, &c, 



Simple cases of colic are frequently regarded by non-pro- 

 fessional persons as cases of retention of urine, and this in 

 consequence of the secretion of urine being checked in cases of 

 constipation and spasm of the intestines, especially in the 

 horse. The distinguishing symptom between ordinary colic 

 and retention of the urine, is the attempt to urinate in the 

 latter disease. 



Treatment. This consists in the removal of the cause, in 

 withdrawing the urine by artificial means, and in avoiding 



