INVERSION OF THE BLADDER. 



death. If a day or two had passed since the rupture of the blad- 

 der, the experienced eye would detect it by a certain engorgement 

 of the limbs, and particularly of the hind limbs ; and there would 

 often be an evident urinous smell about the animal, even before it 

 was dead. In such case, the bladder is commonly found in a state 

 of gangrene ; the intestines are highly inflamed, and the whole of 

 the meat is discolored and nauseous. It is, therefore, of consequence 

 to ascertain the state of these parts dunng the life of the animal, 

 either that an operation may be attempted, or that the fanner may 

 sell him, while there is anything about him that is saleable besides 

 his skin. In fine, when it is recollected that the existence of these 

 calculi betrays a constitutional tendency to their formation, and that 

 the removal of one may at no great length of time be followed by 

 the appearance of another ; when, from the length and narrowness, 

 and, more especially, from the singular curvature of the urethra in 

 the ox, it is very difficult for calculi to pass ; and the walls of the 

 bladder in the ox are so weak it will become a matter for considera- 

 tion, whether the beast, in good saleable condition, should not be 

 destroyed as soon as this obstruction is clearly ascertained ; and, 

 most certainly, the animal that has been successfully operated upon 

 for suppression of urine, and that is not then fit for the market, 

 should be fattened, and got rid of as quickly as possible. 



The cow is in a manner exempt from these sad accidents, because 

 the calculi readily find their way through her short, and capacious, 

 and straight urethra. 



INVERSION OF THE BLADDER. 



This has occasionally taken place in the violent throes of partu- 

 rition. The efforts of the practitioner must ihen be confined to the 

 preservation of the calf, for the bladder can never be returned to its 

 natural situation ; and although the mother might possibly survive 

 the removal of this vessel, yet as the urine must continue to be 

 secreted, and to be got rid of, and, trickling down her legs, would 

 produce constant soreness and ulceration, she would ever be a nui- 

 sance to herself, and a digusting object to those who had the care 

 of her. 



