386 CHAPTEli 55. 



If the disease leriiiiuales in suiipiu-atiuii, it will bo iudieated by Jtus 

 being mingled Avith the urine, which will continue i'or some time during 

 the period of convalescence. 



In fatal cases, the kidneys, if the disease has been of any stajiding, will 

 be found to be veiy much enlarged and softened ; and in some cases 

 disorganisation of the structure may have taken place. 



789. Irritation of the Bladder and its causes. 



Irritation of the Bladder may arise from excessive doses of diuretio 

 medicine, from aljsorption of cantharidcs too freely ajjplied for blistering 

 purjioses, from sym]tathy with inflammation of the kidneys, from over- 

 long retention of urine, from calculi, from strain of the ])Soa3 muscles 

 affecting the kidneys and the bladder by sympathy, from a sudden check 

 to the cutaneous persj>iration by exjtosurc to cold when the animal is hot, 

 or from bad or irritating food. 



If the case is of a persistent nature, the state of the bladder should be 

 examined through the anus, to ascertain if there be a calculus in it. 



790. Symptoms. 



Irritation of the Bladder is indicated by restlessness, frequent strain- 

 ing, protruded i)enis, and by the passing at short intervals of small 

 quantities of urine. If the sym])toms are more grave than the above, it 

 is probable that the disease has passed from the stage of irritation into 

 that of inflammation of the organ. The bladder on examination through 

 the anus will be found either shrivelled up and empty, or hot and tender. 



791. Treatment. 



The cause in the jiarticular instance must be sought for, and if possible, 

 removed. 



To relieve the symptoms, many of which depend on the acidity and 

 scantiness of the uiine, the patient should be encouraged to drink plenty 

 of water and mucilaginous fluids, in which may be given kalf an ounce of 

 bicarbonate of soda and potash. The food should consist of mashes and 

 liay with but veiy little corn. Grass, carrots, and lucern are very 

 beneficial ; but clover and other plants of the trifolium variety are for 

 reasons already given objectionable. 



Best is indispensable. Some laxative medicine, such as a j)int of linseed 

 oil, is useful in unloading the bowels. Warm rugs should be placed over 

 the loins, and clysters may be freely throAvn up. The warm water will 

 exercise a soothing influence on the irritated membrane. The effect, if 

 need be, may be increased by adding to each clyster an ounce of laudanum 

 or a drachm of extract of belladonna, and to insure its being retained the 

 clyster should not exceed two pints. If the animal is debilitated, and 

 especially if the irritation appi^ars to ]iroceed from weakness of the 

 bladder, vegetable tonics mav be given \\ ilh bcueiit. 



