100 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



where the grasses are fresh and succulent. The long-continued secre- 

 tion of a watery urine will sometimes cause the breaking down of a 

 calculus, as the imbibition of the less dense fluid b}"- the organic 

 sponge-like framework of the calculus causes it to swell and thus 

 lessens its cohesion. The same end is sought by the long-continued 

 use of alkalies (carbonate of potassium), and of acids (muriatic), each 

 acting in a different way to alter the densit}^ and cohesion of the 

 stone. But it is only exceptionally that any of these methods is 

 entirely satisfactory. If inflammation of the kidneys develops, treat 

 as advised under that head. 



Stone in the hladde)' {vesical calcxdxis^ or ctjstlc calculus). — These 

 may be of any size up to over a pound in weight. One variety is 

 rough and crystalline and has a yellowish white or deep-brown color. 

 These contain about 87 per cent carbonate of lime, the remainflor 

 being carbonate of magnesia, oxalate of lime, and organic matter. 

 The phosphatic calculi are smooth and white and formed of thin 

 concentric layers of great hardness extending from the nucleus out- 

 ward. Besides the phosphate of lime these contain the carbonates of 

 lime and magnesia and organic matter. In some cases the bladder 

 contains and may be even distended by a soft pultaceous mass made 

 up of minute round granules of carbonates of lime and magnesia. 

 This, when removed and dried, makes a firm, white, and stony mass. 

 Sometimes this magma is condensed into a solid mass in the bladder 

 by reason of the binding action of the mucus and other organic mat- 

 ter, and then forms a conglomerate stone of nearh^ uniform consist- 

 ency and without stratification. 



Synipto7ns of stone m the Madder. — The symptoms of stone in the 

 bladder are more obvious than those of renal calculus. The rough 

 mulberry calculi especially lead to irritation of the mucous membrane 

 and frequent passing of urine in small quantities and often mingled 

 with mucus or blood or containing minute griliy particles. At times 

 the flow is suddenly arrested, though the animal continues to strain 

 and the bladder is not quite emptied, Li the smooth phosphatic variety 

 the irritation is much less marked and may even be altogether absent. 

 With the pultaceous deposit in the bladder there is incontinence of 

 urine, which dribbles away continually and keeps the hair on the inner 

 side of the thighs matted with soft magma. In all cases alike the 

 calculus may be felt by the examination of the bladder with the oiled 

 hand in the rectum. The pear-shaped outline of the bladder can be 

 felt beneath, and within it the solid oval body. It is most easily 

 recognized if the organ is half full of liquid, as then it is not grasped 

 by the contracting walls of the bladder, but may be made to move 

 from place to place in the liquid. If a pultaceous mass is present it 

 has a soft, doughy feeling, and when pressed an indentation is left. 



