352 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



to leak away than to be the result of effort. Rectal examination will 

 confirm the diagnosis if any doubt or difficulty exists in determining 

 between retention and non-secretion of urine. In the former condition 

 the bladder can be distinctly felt to be distended with fluid, and in some 

 cases the pressure of manipulation adds just sufficient force to expel a 

 portion of it. In the latter the organ is more or less empty. 





Fig. 146.— Retention of Uiinc— Catheter inserted 



A, Catheter. B, Bladder, c, Corpus .spongiosum. D, Corpus cavernosum. E, Scrotum. F, Testicle. G, Ureter. 

 H, Kidney. I, Aorta. J, Rectum. K, Anus. L, Prostate gland. M, Colon. 



Treatment. — If the urine has been long retained, and the bladder 

 contains a large quantity, the catheter should be passed and the greater 

 portion drawn off Should there be indications of pain afterwards, warm 

 fomentations to the loins, or a large poultice over that region, will have 

 a soothing effect, and this may be increased by the admixture with it of 

 extract of belladonna. The animal should be warmly clothed, and a dose 

 of two or three drams of camphor dissolved in linseed-oil may be given, 

 followed in two or three hours by one or two dram doses of extract of 

 belladonna dissolved in linseed tea. Every inducement to urinate should 

 be offered by placing the patient in a well - bedded loose-box undis- 

 turbed by other horses or their attendants. When retention of urine is 



