94 INFLAMMATION OF THE B-L ADDER. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



INFLA3IMATI0N OF THE BLADDER. 



This disease does not often occur in cattle, except from eating 

 acrid and poisonous herbs, or when cows are near their time of calv- 

 ing. In the first case, there are frequent and violent, but ineffectual, 

 efforts to stale. There is true and proper inflammation of the neck of 

 the bladder. This may be occasioned by cold, but is more frequently 

 produced by the animal having fed on heathy pastures, and on the 

 hot and stimulating plants that abound there. The broom is a fre- 

 quent cause of this disease. 



It is of much consequence to be enabled to distinguish this from 

 inflammation of the bladder itself. In the early stage of inflamma- 

 tion of the neck of the bladder no urine will be voided, while it will 

 be discharged much more frequently than usual, and apparently in 

 larger quantities in true inflammation of the bladder; and when at 

 length, in inflammation of the neck of the bladder, urine is voided, it 

 is after much straining, and is evidently and forcibly squeezed out 

 from the over-distended but closed vessels. The most certain way, 

 however, of distinguishing the one from the other, is to introduce the 

 hand into the rectum ; the distended bladder will then be plainly felt 

 below. It may sometimes be detected by examination of the outside 

 of the belly. 



The course to be pursued is sufficiently plain — the bladder must 

 be emptied, or more fluid will pour into it until it actually bursts. 

 For some time before the fatal termination of the complaint in the 

 rupture of the bladder, not only the constant straining, but the heav- 

 ing of the flanks, the quickness of the pulse, the loss of appetite, the 

 cessation of rumination, and the shivering fits, will sufficiently indi- 

 cate the extent of the danger. The better way of emptying the blad- 

 der is, if possible, to relax the spasm of its neck. It is the spasmodic 

 action of the sphincter muscle of the neck of the bladder that is the 

 cause of the obstruction. A very large bleeding will sometimes ac- 

 complish this; but it must be a large one, and continued until the 

 animal is exhausted almost to fainting. 



To bleeding, physic should succeed, in order to lower the system, 

 and relax the spasm; but no medicine must be given that would in 

 the slightest degree increase the flow of urine. Sulphur, or aloes, or 

 both combined, would be indicated here. 



Should not the flow of urine be re-established, mechanical means 

 must be resorted to. Here a skilful practitioner should be consulted. 

 The water may be readily drawn from the cow by a catheter; but in 

 the ox, from the curvature of the penis, this would be a very difficult 

 affair. Some have recommended to cut down upon the penis, behind 

 the bag, and lay open the urethra, and so pass a catheter into the 



