DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER. 387 



792. Inflammation of the Bladder, or Cystitis. 



Inflammation of the Bladder itself is very seldom met with. When it 

 occurs, it is generally consecutive on irritation of that organ, or it may be 

 induced by sympathy with inflammation existing in the kidneys. 



793. Symptoms. 



Inflammation of the Bladder is indicated by the same symptoms as 

 irritation of that organ, but they appear in an aggravated degree. Con- 

 siderable fever is present, indicated by a quickened pulse, injected visible 

 mucous membrane, and a high temperature. There is restlessness with 

 arching of the back, whisking of the tail, frequent straining, and a pro- 

 truded penis. At short intervals a few drops of urine, which is generally 

 thick, high coloured, and mixed with ropy mucus and pus, will be passed 

 with difficulty. In some instances, blood may even be voided. In pro- 

 tracted cases the skin of the neighbouring parts becomes scalded by the 

 continued dribbling of the urine. Occasionally the animal lies down, as 

 if suffering from colic. If the hand be introduced into the rectum, the 

 bladder will be found shrivelled up and empty, and oftentimes hot and 

 tender ; and upon the application of pressure to it, the patient will wince 

 and strain violently. During the voiding of the urine, some few dung 

 pellets may be passed. The skin is hot and dry, and the animal often 

 looks at his flanks. 



If the disease is not relieved, the walls of the bladder will lose their 

 contractile power; and in such cases the bladder may be found full, but 

 this would only occur in the last stage. The bladder may be ruptured 

 through over-distension. 



794. Treatment. 



The treatment in most respects is the same as that recommended for 

 nephritis. The case is quite as urgent, and every precaution pointed out 

 in that disease should be adopted in this. 



The condition of the bladder should be ascertained at an early stage of 

 the disease. If much distended, gentle manipulation and pressure per 

 rectum may evacuate it, if there be no obstruction from calculus, or unless 

 the neck of the cyst is inflamed or spasmodically contracted. If this fails 

 the fluid must be evacuated by means of the catheter. If the disease be 

 due to the presence of calculi, nothing but an operation promptly per- 

 formed can give relief. 



79-3. Inflammation of the Neck of the Bladder. 



Inflammation of the neck is more common than inflammation of the 

 body of the bladder. Its prominent symptom is retention of the uriiiu 

 on account of the inflamed condition of the orifice through which it ought 

 to pass. Though the neck is principally concerned, yet the inflammation 

 affects more or less the remainder of the organ. 



The treatment of the inflammatory attack is much the same as has 



