576 THE DISEASES AND DISOEDERS OP THE OX. 



of so-called " red water," which had been some weeks pre- 

 viously under apparently successful treatment ; but during the 

 last few days before he was summoned to attend the cow she 

 had become rapidly worse. The animal had been fed on large 

 quantities of rank, coarse, innutritions grass grown on poor sandy 

 land, irrigated with the refuse liquor from bone and glue works^ 

 The cow was found to be in the recumbent posture, occasionally 

 taking a mouthful of grass, and then turning her head round 

 to the left side and groaning. The pulse was feeble, the respira- 

 tions were accelerated, and the temperature was 102° F. 



Two days afterwards the cow had lost flesh, the pulse was 

 scarcely perceptible, the temperature had fallen to 101° F., and 

 the pain was not so acute as before. The urine was dark red 

 in colour, had a fetid odour, and its specific gravity at 60° F» 

 was 1,015. The reaction was alkaline, there were no blood 

 clots, but many blood cells and tube casts. Now the average 

 weight of an ox's kidney is said to be about 1^ lb., but the right 

 kidney in this case weighed as much as 5 lb. 12 oz. (avoir- 

 dupois). It was soft, flabby, and high-coloured, several of the 

 lobules being almost black. The capsules of the lobules were 

 thickened, and in certain places corrugated and detached. 

 Tuberculous nodules, indicating different stages of the disease,, 

 were found in every lobule. In several lobules the whole of the 

 inner part or medulla was gone. 



Symptoms. — There is in this disorder a frequent discharge of 

 small quantities of urine, containing, as a rule, coagulated blood. 

 Pressure on the loins may bring on pain, the animal stands with 

 the back arched, moves with a staggering gait, and may manifest 

 febrile symptoms. 



Treatment. — If the disease is the result of an injury, 

 attempts must be made to heal it. Cold enemas and the 

 application of cold water to the loins may be recommended. 

 Demulcent drinks and small doses of oil are beneficial, the diet 

 should be laxative, and such haemostatic agents as diluted sul- 

 phuric acid and the acetate of lead may be administered in 

 suitable doses. 



RETENTION OF URINE. 

 Retention of urine may be owing to obstruction on the one 

 hand, or to a want of expulsive power on the other. For 



