630 DISEASES OF TEE BLADDER, ETC. 



in the horse, but more commonly are composed of dirt mixed 

 with the secretion of the sebaceous follicles of the prepuce and 

 sheath. In order to prevent inconvenience from these con- 

 cretions, the sheath must be examined and washed. Horses 

 with large pendulous sheaths are very subject to them. 



In the ox and sheep, when fed on turnips or other phosphatic 

 food, long stalactite-like deposits of the phosphates form around 

 the preputial opening, causing obstruction to the emission of 

 urine and much inconvenience ; they, and the hair or wool 

 they are attached to, are to be cut off. 



REMOVAL OF SABULOUS MATTER. 



In the case of a gelding, an operation as for lithotomy has 

 to be performed, and the contents of the bladder scooped o^it by 

 the forceps or a spoon, and the bladder thoroughly washed by 

 a stream of water forced in by " Eeade's pump." In the mare 

 this can be effected without cutting. 



Animals that have much sediment in the urine should be 

 allowed small doses of hydrochloric acid in their water every 

 now and then ; the acid passing out of the body through the 

 kidneys and bladder will dissolve the earthy carbonates, which, 

 thus rendered soluble, are ejected with the fluid constituents of 

 the urine. 



DISEASES OF THE EXTERNAL ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



It may be accepted that the lower animals are free from specific 

 diseases of the generative organs, and that those affections charac- 

 terised by a discharge are due to simple inflammation of the 

 mucous membrane, catarrh, debility, or tumours. 



URETHRITIS — ^INFLAMMATION OF THE URETHRA. 



This may occur in the gelding as well as in the entire horse ; 

 in the former from a general catarrhal condition of the mucous 

 membrane, and from the irritation of some medicines, such as 

 cantharides or croton ; in the latter — in addition to the above 

 causes — from copulation too frequently performed, the general 

 system being at the same time rendered susceptible of inflam- 

 mation by stimulating food or medicines. Hutrel D'Arboval 



