URETHRAL CALCULI IN RUMINANTS. 625 



of 15£ ozs. ; the urethra was dilated throughout, so that Kramer 

 was able to remove the stone by hand. Recovery occurred in 

 twenty-eight days. 



The stone illustrated, weighing 3| ozs., and measuring 7 J inches 

 in circumference, was removed by A. Chinniah, of Ceylon. It was 

 not spherical, but convex on both surfaces, and was apparently 

 composed, outwardly of phosphate, and inwardly of oxalate of lime. 

 The final results of operation were not reported, though the animal 

 was said to be doing well. 



Walker (A. V. D.) removed from a gelding an oxalate of lime 

 calculus weighing 7 J ozs., with a nucleus, consisting of blood clot 

 (see Figs. 433 and 434). Instruments failed to grasp or crush the 

 stone, so the constrictor urethrse was incised on both sides, the hand 

 introduced into the bladder and the stone, which was of oval section 

 and measured 3 inches in diameter, was removed. The urethral 

 wound was twice sutured, but the stitches tore out on each occasion ; 

 nevertheless the parts healed so far that the horse returned to duty 

 in two months, and three months later urine ceased altogether to 

 be passed by the fistula. {The Veterinarian, 1898.) 



(2.) URETHRAL CALCULI IN RUMINANTS. 



Of all animals the bull or ox suffers most from calculi. Formed 

 in the bladder, they enter the urethra during urination, and partly 

 on account of its comparatively narrow lumen, partly of its peculiar 

 course, remain fast (Fig. 435). 



The pelvic portion resembles that in other animals and has a width 

 of T 3 ^ to T 6 e of an inch, but in the external portion the passage contracts 

 to | inch, and at its orifice even to T ^. In the neighbourhood of the scrotum 

 it makes with the penis the so-called " S " inflexion. At the first bend 

 near the scrotum (h), the penis turns once more backwards making about 

 3 inches behind and over the posterior surface of the scrotum a second 

 bend (i) ; at the height of the latter the retractor penis (I), which is very 

 strong in cattle, becomes attached. The sinuous course and slight diameter 

 of the urethra explain why even small calculi or concretions, weighing 

 only a few grains and not exceeding the size of a pea, may remain fixed 

 in the urethra and obstruct it. The stones are usually lodged in the first 

 bend (h), less frequently in the second or near the end of the organ. 



Diagnosis. Urethral calculi first attract notice by the difficulty 

 which exists in passing urine. The animal is fretful, stamps with 

 the hind feet and moves to and fro, lifts the tail and makes frequent 

 short side movements with the root of it ; it lies down, but 

 immediately rises again, and strikes with the hind feet towards the 

 body. 



