120 NAVIN OX THE HORSE. 



choking, or constriction of the urethra or passage leading 

 from the bhxdder, at any point, and from whatever cause. It 

 may depend on palsy of the bladder, spasm, or pressure on 

 the neck of tlie bladder; stones passing out from the blad- 

 der ; and is frequently present in colic, disease of the kidneys, 

 and diseases attended with stupor. The result of retention 

 would be, if not relieved, inflammation of the bladder, and 

 death. 



Suppression of the urine may be caused by over-stimulating 

 feed in hardivork, the too free use of diuretics, and inflam- 

 mation of the kidneys. It is a disease which proves fatal 

 very soon. 



Treatment. — When the urine is retained in the bladder, if 

 the horse is laboring under colic, when that is relieved his 

 water will generally become all right. But in most diseases 

 causinir retention their cure can not be waited for. If the dis- 

 ease causing the retention admits of bleeding, bleed freely ; 

 and at the same time, or a few hours after, a physic, with re- 

 Icixing medicine, may be given : 



Take — Powdered aloes 1 ounce. 



P^bwdered lobelia leaves 1 ounce. 



Warm water 1 quirt. 



Mix, and give as a drench. 



After relaxing the system by these means, the reaction 

 which follows may relieve the animal. 



It may be necessary to draw the water oif with the instru- 

 ment called a catheter. A gum-elastic catheter is to be used, 

 and it is to be well oiled. It must be steadily and gently 

 passed up the urethra or channel in the penis. If the ca- 

 theter comes to a place that seems to be obstructed, it should 

 be gently i)ressed against, until it passes by. In most cases 

 the use of the catheter will be successful. But it may be 

 necessary to perform a more difficult operation. There are 

 two operations : one to be performed by cutting through the 



