DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 99 



found of all sizes within the limits of the pelvis of the kidney. These, 

 too, are in the main carbonate of lime (84 to 88 per cent) and without 

 oxalate. 



/S>/mj)toms of renal calculi are violent colicky pains, appearing sud- 

 denly, very often in connection with exhausting work or the drawing 

 of specially heavy loads, and in certain cases disappearing with equal 

 suddenness. The nature of the colic becomes more manifest if it is 

 associated with stiffness of the back and hind limbs, frequent passage 

 of urine, and, above all, the passage of gravel with the urine, especially 

 at the time of the access of relief. The passage of blood and pus in 

 the urine is equally significant. If the irritation of the kidney goes 

 on to active inflammation, then the symptoms of nephritis are added. 



Uretral calculi. — These are so called because they are found in the 

 passage leading from the kidney to the bladder. They are simply 

 small renal calculi which have escaped from the pelvis of the kidney 

 and have become arrested in the ureter. They give rise to sym^ytoms 

 almost identical with those of renal calculi, with this difference, that 

 the colicky pains, caused by the obstruction of the ureter by the 

 impacted calculus, are more violent, and if the calculus passes on into 

 the bladder the relief is instantaneous and complete. If the ureter is 

 completely blocked for a length of time the retained urine may give 

 rise to destructive inflammation in the kidney, which may end in the 

 entire absorption of that organ, leaving only a fibrous capsule contain- 

 ing an urinous fluid. If both the ureters are similarly blocked the 

 animal will die of uremic poisoning. 



Treatment of renal and uretral ca^ct^Z/.— Treatment is unsatisfactory, 

 as it is ordy the small calculi that can pass through the ureters and 

 escape into the bladder. This may be favored by agents which will 

 relax the walls of the ureters by counteracting their spasm and even 

 lessening their tone, and by a liberal use of water and watery fluids 

 to increase the urine and the pressure upon the calculus from behind. 

 One or 2 ounces of laudanum, or 2 drams of extract of belladonna, 

 may be given and repeated as it may be necessary, the relief of the 

 pain being a fair criterion of the abating of the spasm. To the same 

 end use warm fomentations across the loins, and these should be kept 

 up persistently until relief is obtained. These act not alone by sooth- 

 ing and relieving the spasm and inflammation, but they also favor the 

 freer secretion of a more watery urine, and thus tend to carry off the 

 smaller calculi. To further secure this object give cool water freely, 

 and let the food be only such as contains a large proportion of liquid, 

 gruels, mashes, turnips, beets, apples, pumpkins, ensilage, succulent 

 grasses, etc. If the acute stage has passed and the presence of the 

 calculus is manifested onl}'^ by the frequent passage of urine with 

 gritty particles, b}" stiffness of the loins and hind limbs, and by tender- 

 ness to pressure, the most promising resort is a long run at pasture 



