AZOTURIA. 547 



administered. Tiie urine is usually retained in the bladder, 

 necessitating the use of the catheter for its removal. Tt is 

 of a dark brown colour, similar to coffee in appearance, 

 undoubtedly containing urea in excess, and in all probability 

 contains largely excessive cjuan titles of albumen, and is 

 secreted in less than the usual quantities. Potassium 

 chlorat, or nitras, should be given after the cathartic has 

 performed its office, or, what is still better than potassium, 

 soda? carb., which may be administered in the ordinary- 

 sized doses; hypodermic injections of morphia may also be 

 given. In cases where pain is severe, opium may be given, 

 but its administration, to an animal suffering from azoturia, 

 should be guarded; and, in certain very rare and exceptional 

 cases, it may be advisable to withhold purgatives. If the 

 approach of the disorder is noticed in time, it may be 

 arrested in its course and total recovery of the animal take 

 place in the course of two or three days. In some cases there 

 may occur, as complications, slight tympanites, spasm of 

 the diaphragm, etc., which render the case more alarming. 

 If the patient is able, and can be induced, to retain the 

 standing posture, great benefit will accrue therefrom, inas- 

 much as it is in this position only that the acts of defeca- 

 tion and micturition can be ^^erformed properly, and with- 

 out difficult}^ In some severe cases the patient may be 

 placed in slings. After recovery the animal should be used 

 carefully for some time, as there will be a tendency to suffer 

 again ; the malady in its acute form sometimes lasts for six 

 weeks. During convalescence good food should be allowed, 

 and tonics — as potassai iodid., etc. — administered. 



35—2 



