732 DISEASES OF THE BLADDER. 



synonymous with the condition observed when the coats 

 of the bladder have become paralyzed from over-distension, 

 but from which it is essentially different both in causes and 

 symptoms. In many instances the irritability does not seem 

 to depend upon structural alterations in the urinarj^ organs, 

 either primarily or secondarily, but upon impairment or 

 disorder of organs and functions in some manner related to 

 the urino-genital system. Certain inj uries to muscular structure 

 in the lumbar region, or possibl}* to the spinal cord itself, 

 during the existence of active sjanptoms, develop this unnatural 

 functional activity. 



h. Anatomical Characters. — It is only in a limited number of 

 instances, where the s3'mptoms of this functional disturbance 

 have been exhibited, that obvious textural alterations may be 

 discovered. In some we may find calculi and structural 

 changes of varying character in the kidneys and ureters, deposits 

 of sabulous material in the bladder, or evidence more or less 

 marked of some antecedent inflammatory action either there 

 or in some contiguous muscular structure. In rarer instances 

 the cord itself may give evidence of change. Such alteration, 

 although the symptoms may point in this direction, is not so 

 common as we might expect, judging from the frequenc}' of 

 disturbed innervation. 



Symptoms. — These are chiefly the rather sudden develo])- 

 ment of this repeated desire to urinate, with the ejection of 

 small quantities of urine. In some, particularly when proceed- 

 ing from errors of a dietetic character, there are other s}Tiiptoms 

 which are without difficulty connected with the one common 

 cause, gastric or intestinal dyspepsia, such as an unthrifty 

 condition of the skin and coat, sometimes thirst, which, when 

 present, may or may not be associated with an increased 

 amount of urine voided. There are no well marked or 

 distinct indications of pain, merely restlessness and repeated 

 micturition. 



Treatment. — As the most frequent cause of this irritability is 

 disturbed digestion, every attention ought to be directed to 

 correct this; the bowels must be quietly cleared by some 

 aperient medicine, after which care must be exercised to see 

 that the food-supply is sufficiently good. The prepuce and 

 external opening of the urethra in the male will require 



