INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 95 



bladder ; but this will produce a wound, difficult to heal from the pas- 

 sage and excoriation of the urine. Others would puncture the blad- 

 der through the rectum, and others through the belly; but both ope- 

 rations may be accompanied and followed by various unpleasant 

 circumstances. 



The catheter lately invented by Mr. Read, and which, by curiously 

 accommodating itself to the curvature of the urethra in the horse, will 

 readily enter the bladder and evacuate it without any painful or dan- 

 gerous operation, is not applicable to the ox, at least in common 

 hands ; for there is a double curvature in his penis and urethra, 

 through which no catheter, however flexible, will pass. A good 

 veterinary anatomist, however, will overcome this difficulty; and to 

 him, or to one well skilled in his profession, the proprietor of cattle 

 should have recourse in such a case. 



The farmer, nevertheless, having fully ascertained the nature of 

 the case, may often evacuate a great portion of the urine in a very 

 simple way. The bladder of the ox lies more in the pelvis than does 

 that of the horse — it is more easily felt than in the horse — it is more 

 readily pressed upon by the hand — and the muscle at the neck of the 

 bladder is much weaker: so that the hand being introduced into the 

 anus, and gentle pressure made upon the bladder, a great quantity, 

 or almost the whole, of the urine may be forced out, without danger. 



A catheter may be introduced into the bladder of a cow without 

 difficulty. 



Inflammation of the bladder itself is a disease more frequent, and 

 from the same causes, namely, cold and acrid herbs. Here the ani- 

 mal should be bled and physicked, and fomented across the loins, 

 and every diuretic medicine carefull}" avoided. The following drink 

 may be administered v.'ith good eff'ect, after the bleeding and 



purginor — 



RECIPE ^No. 42). 

 Drink for Tvflammatiov of the Bladder. — Take, antimnnial powder, two drachms ; 

 powdered opiuln, one scruple: rub them well tocolher with a small portion of very 

 thick gruel, and repeat the dose morning and night. 



It should not. however, be forgotten, that in cows that are near 

 parturition this discharge of urine is not unfrequent, and arises from 

 irritation of the bladder, caused by the pressure of the fa?lus, or from 

 sympathy with the uterus, now much excited, — and not from actual 

 inflammation. When she has calved, this will gradually cease; or 

 a dose of salts, followed by one or two of the powders just recom- 

 mended, will aff'ord immediate and considerable relief. In some 

 cows this incontinence of urine has been produced by the retention 

 of a dead calf in the womb beyond the natural period, and it being 

 at the same time in a state of putrefaction. The mingled influence 

 of long-continued pressure, and of proximity to a large body in a state 

 of decomposition, Vv'ill occasionally produce a state of extreme irrita- 

 bility. The animal should have warm mashes once or twice daily. 



Connected with this is a not unfrequent disease, and especially in 

 the summer, and in cows in high condition, namely : — 



