DISEASES OF CATTLE 145 



RETENTION OF URINE. 



Inability to pass urine may come from any one of three condi- 

 tions first, spasm of the neck of the bladder; second, paralysis of 

 the body of the bladder; third, obstruction of the channel of outlet 

 by a stone (calculus) or other obstacle. 



In spasm of the neck of the bladder the male animal may stand 

 with the tail slightly raised and making rhythmical contractions of 

 the muscle beneath the anus (accelerator urinse) , but without pass- 

 ing a drop of liquid. In the female the hind legs are extended and' 

 widely parted, and the back is arched as if to urinate, but the effort 

 is vain. If the oiled hand is introduced into the rectum or vagina in 

 the early stages of the affection, the bladder may be felt beneath par- 

 tially filled, 'but not overdistended with liquid, and its neck or mouth 

 firm and rigid. In the more advanced stages of the ( affection the 

 organ is felt as a great, tense, elastic bag, extending forward into the 

 abdomen. In this condition the overdistended muscular coat of the 

 bladder has lost its power of contraction, so that true paralysis has set 

 in, the muscle closing the mouth of the sack alone retaining its con- 

 tractile power. 



In paralysis of the body of the bladder attention is rarely drawn 

 to the urinary disorder until the bladder has been distended to full 

 repletion and is almost ready to give way by rupture and to allow the 

 escape of the contained liquid into the abdomen. Overdistention is 

 the most common cause of the paralysis, yet it may occur from in- 

 flammation of the muscular wall of the bladder, or even from injury 

 to the terminal part of the spinal marrow. In this last condition, 

 however, the tail is likely to be powerless, and the neck of the bladder 

 may also be paralyzed, so that the urine dribbles away continuously. 



Causes. Among the causes of spasm of the neck of the bladder 

 may be named the lodgment of small stones or gravel, the feeding on 

 irritant diuretics (see Bloody Urine, or Nephritis), the enforced re- 

 tention of urine while at work or during a painful or difficult par- 

 turition. The irritation attendant on inflammation of the mucous 

 membrane of the bladder may be a further cause of spasm of the 

 neck, as may also be inflammation of the channel (urethra) back of 

 the neck. Extensive applications of Spanish flies to the skin, the 

 abuse of diuretics, and the occurrence of indigestion and spasms of the 

 bowels are further causes. So long as spasmodic colic is unrelieved, 

 retention of water from spasm of the neck of the bladder usually 

 persists. 



Treatment. Treatment will depend largely on the cause. In 

 indigestion the irritant contents of the bowels must be got rid of by 

 laxatives and injections of warm water; Spanish-fly blisters must be 

 washed from the surface ; a prolonged and too active exertion must 

 be intermitted. The spasm may be relaxed by injecting one-half 

 ounce solid extract of belladonna in water into the rectum or by a so- 

 lution of tobacco. Chloroform or ether may be given 'by inhalation, 

 or chloral hydrate (1 ounce) may be given in water by the mouth. 

 Fomentations of warm water may be made over the loins and between 

 the thighs, and the oiled hand inserted into the rectum may press 



