252 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



gives off perspiration, the action of the kidneys is 

 reduced. 



THE BLADDER. 

 PLATE IX, FIG. 2, k. 



The bladder occupies the middle and lower por- 

 tion of the pelvis. In its undistended condition it 

 is wholly confined to the cavity of the pelvis ; but 

 when full, its fundus advances before the pubes into 

 the abdomen, the advancement being in ratio with the 

 degree of distention. It is pretty nearly pear-shaped. 



We have described how the urine is separated from 

 the blood, when treating of the kidneys. The urine 

 which is separated is discharged by these minute 

 vessels into larger ones, which terminate in the kidney, 

 which is termed its pelvis, and from thence led into 

 the ureter duct, n, n, to the bladder, k, which we have 

 represented distended with urine. The urine is con- 

 stantly secreted and flows continually from the 

 kidneys through the ureter ducts. It is this elastic 

 property of the bladder which enables animals to 

 retain the urine beyond the time which it is filled to its 

 unstretched capacity, and prevents that constant flow 

 which would be the result but for this beautiful 

 provision. 



The bladder is provided with three coats. The 

 outer one covers the greater portion of it, and is a 

 part of the peritoneum ; the muscular coat consists of 

 two layers of fibres ; the external running longitudin- 

 ally, and the inner circularly, which enables it to yield 

 to the pressure of the urine as the cavity fills, and 

 again contract to a small size when emptied. This 

 contractile property also assists in expelling the urine 

 from the bladder. The inner or mucous coat is. 



