258 Veterinary Medichie. 



plenty of water are important. Free access to open air where 

 the animal can urinate, is very essential. In chronic cases, 

 buchii, copaiba, balsams, or piperazine may be employed. Mus- 

 tard blister. Electricity. Small doses of belladonna to give tone 

 to the bladder. 



ATONY AND PARALYSIS OF THE BLADDER. 



Causes. This comes usually from troubles of innervation. 

 Paraplegia, dorsal and lumbar fractures with injury to the spinal 

 cord, brain lesions, hsemoglobinuria with effusion pressing on 

 the cystic plexus, overdistension of the viscus, from cervical 

 spasm, urethral stricture or calculus or parasite (strongylus gigas)^ 

 acute or chronic cystitis. In dogs it may come from obstruction 

 by enlarged prostate. Pol3'pus blocking the cervix and chronic 

 disease of the walls of the organ are additional causes. 



Symptoms. More or less complete retention of the urine. 

 The bladder cannot be completely emptied except by powerful 

 contractions of the abdominal muscles. Habitually it may es- 

 cape in drops, or in jets at intervals during exercise. Palpation 

 will show overdistended bladder as a tense, elastic mass. But as 

 overdi.stension may occur without paralysis, no case can be cer- 

 tainly diagnosed without catheterization to show that the urethra 

 is free. 



When the paralysis affects the cervix, the urine escapes con- 

 tinually and trickles down the in.sides of the hips in mares, or 

 from the sheath in males. 



Diagnosis demands catheterism and rectal examination. 



Complication. Cystitis by retention. Infection by catheter. 



Treatment. Corresponds to causes. These corrected, use 

 aseptic catheter often. After extreme di.stension empty partiall}^, 

 or inject a few ounces of borax or boric acid solution. Thus 

 avoid collapse and inflammation, and secure antisepsis. Give 

 tone by a course of strychnia, (ergot, belladoinia), mustard 

 blister ; turpentine in small doses. Better electricity, i pole in 

 bladder, i on pubic symphysis. Apply for 5 minutes. 



