THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 123 



on the neck of the bladder from hardened faeces or from an accu- 

 mulation of gas within the rectum, urinary calculi, and powerful 

 diuretics, — all tend to produce suppression and retention of 

 urine. 



Let the reader understand that the manner in which the urine 

 is voided is modified by many other diseases as well as colic. 

 In some of them the secretion may be so scanty as to lead to 

 the supposition of strangury or retention, when in fact the blad- 

 der is not distended beyond its healthy capacity. Simple reten- 

 tion of urine within the bladder may arise from some physical 

 obstacle within the urethra ; this must not, however, be confounded 

 with suppression, which implies that the secretion within the 

 kidneys is suspended. We have seen horses in this state, and, 

 on examining the parts, have found the orifice of the urethra 

 occupied by a hard substance termed by horsemen a " bean," on 

 the removal of which the urine has soon after passed in a free 

 and full stream. This "bean" is formed from the secretion 

 and filth that usually accumulates about a horse's penis. 



A diminution of the urinary discharge, approaching almost to 

 retention, accompanies hydrothorax and other dropsical affections. 



Dr. Good considers retention of the urine a common symptom 

 in all affections attended with coma, and also in diseases of the 

 nervous system. 



The author wishes to have the reader bear in mind that 

 retention of urine, so often confounded with suppression, is more 

 generally the effect rather than a cause of disease. 



Any one, by making a simple examination per rectum, can 

 easily ascertain if the case be one of suppression or of simple 

 retention. Let the hand be introduced within the rectum ; and 

 if the bladder be found empty, there is evidently suppression, 

 whereas, if the bladder be large and full, occupying considerable 

 space within the pelvis, it is a case of retention. 



Treatment. — Suppression of urine must be treated according 

 to its indications ; the cause must be sought for, and, if possible, 

 removed. Assafoetida, uva ursi, and cream of tartar are good 

 to increase the secretion when the kidneys permit of augmenta- 

 tion. But on the whole, the safest plan will be to consult a vet 

 erinary surgeon. 



