214 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



disorder, this appears as irritation of the kidneys, tender loinSj 

 stiff straddhng gait, etc, with the passage of microscopic crystals, 

 and perhaps blood or pus in the urine. In cattle and sheep 

 the salts from the concentrated lu'ine usually crystallize out on 

 the hairs around the opening of the sheath. All species of 

 domestic quadrupeds suffer. 



There is no satisfactory treatment, and the great object is 

 to prevent their formation by the measures named below. 



Urethral Calculi. — These are lodged in the small canah which 

 convey the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. They are 

 usually formed in the pelvis of the kidney, and being washed 

 on with the urine are arrested in the ureter. The symptoms 

 are more violent than those of renal calculi, since the flow of 

 the urine is checked and the ureter and pelvis of the kidney 

 are over-distended, while the kidney itself undergoes inflamma- 

 tion, and, if the animal survives, is finally removed by absorption, 

 the opposite kidney meanwhile enlarging and doing the work 

 of two. The colics and general symptoms are like those of 

 nephritis. The elastic distended ureter may sometimes be felt 

 with the oiled hand introduced through the rectum. Like renal 

 calculus this is usually inemediable. Anti-spasmodics will 

 sometimes succeed by relaxing the duct and allowing the 

 accumulated urine to pass tlie obstruction onward. They are 

 best given by injection into the bowel. If nephritis sets in the 

 treatment must correspond. 



Cystic Calculus. Stone in the bladder. — Seen in all domestic 

 animals. 



Symptoms.— Yrec^Qnt straining to pass urine, which escapes 

 in dribblets, in jets checked by a sudden arrest, or not at all. 

 Blood in clots, and microscopic crystals or calculi usually pass 

 with the urine. Examination with the oiled hand in the rectum 

 will detect the rounded mass in the bladder, especially if it is 

 partially filled with water. In the female it may be struck by 

 a smooth metallic sound, or even touched with the finger. 



