124 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



well oiled; if there is retention, the bladder will 

 be easily felt greatly distended, and sometimes 

 gentle pressure of the hand will cause the urine 

 to pass out and relieve the animal. If this cannot 

 be done, then it will be necessary to pass up the 

 catheter until you come to the obstruction. The 

 obstruction is sometimes found to be caused by the 

 deposit of a putty-like substance, which can easily 

 be removed by breaking down with the finger. If 

 this substance should remain in long it would 

 harden into stone, and in some cases it does this 

 and the urine passes through an opening in its cen- 

 ter or on one side, and by degrees it closes the pas- 

 sage. I have met with several cases of this kind. 

 They can usually be removed by a pair of forceps 

 or may be pressed out. If this cannot be done, 

 make an incision at one side, then it can be re- 

 moved by the finger. If the obstruction is found 

 further up the passage and cannot be broken down 

 by the catheter it will be necessary to cut down 

 upon it with the knife and remove it, then pass 

 through the edges of the wound a small pin on 

 which is tied a small piece of string in the form 

 of a figure eight; this will close the wound. Let 

 the pin remain in until it sloughs out. If the ca- 

 theter reaches the neck of the bladder and stops 

 there, do not press too hard, but give a little time for 

 the part to dilate; if this does not take place in a 

 few minutes, withdraw the catheter and smear the 

 end of it with a little extract of belladonna and 

 press it up to the neck and allow a little time for 

 it to take effect. If you do not succeed in this way, 



