DISEASES OF THE URINARY SYSTEM. 271 



indicated. The bowels should be regulated by laxative 

 diet, and demulcent drinks should be allowed. 



If there be much pain, and marked constitutional disturb- 

 ance, moderate blood-letting, followed by mild purgatives, 

 is recommended by some. Hot fomentations applied to 

 the abdomen are very beneficial also in alleviating the pain 

 when severe. 



In chronic cases, hyoscyamus, buchu, and copaiba, with 

 saline j)urgatives, are recommended by some. By others, 

 mineral acids, with iron, are said to be very beneficial in the 

 treatment. 



RETENTION OF URINE. 



Etiologcy. — Retention of urine is caused by spasm of the 

 neck of the bladder in colic. It is a common complication 

 in paraplegia, in enlargement of the prostate in aged 

 animals, in urinary or urethral calculi, and in cancer of the 

 penis. It may also be caused by obstruction at the opening 

 of the urethra, prolapse of the uterus or vagina, or by 

 accumulation of faeces in the rectum, or of dirt in the 

 sheath (Williams). 



Inability to urinate may be due to other causes, as, for 

 example, when an animal cannot rise in azoturia, laminitis, 

 or paralysis. 



Paralysis of the bladder, due to over-distension of the 

 walls by urine, may be the cause of retention. This some- 

 times occurs when an animal is not able to micturate for a 

 lengthened period during a long journey. 



Symptoms. — The animal, although making frequent 

 attempts to micturate, is unable to pass water. 



Sometimes a few drops may be passed ; at other times, 

 none at all. 



In some cases there is a continual dribbling of the urine. 

 In retention, if the bladder be examined by the hand 

 passed through the rectum, it will be found distended. 



