DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 129 



seeming to affect the animal's health. In some 

 cases of gravel in the mare and horse there will be 

 incontinence of urine, excoriating the skin of 

 thighs and legs, making them inflame and swell, 

 causing the animal to go lame. When animals 

 show the above symptoms it will be necessary to 

 make an examination to ascertain the true nature 

 of the trouble. This is done per rectum in the 

 horse and ox and per vagina in the mare and 

 cow. First empty the rectum by injections of warm 

 water. The time selected should be, if possible, 

 after the animal has urinated ; if this is not prac- 

 ticable, use the catheter, as it is much easier to de- 

 tect the stone when the bladder is empty; oil the 

 hand and introduce it into the rectum or vagina. 

 After passing the hand in eight to twelve inches, 

 under the lower surface of the rectum the stone can 

 be easily felt if present as a hard lump; if none is 

 present it will be smooth and soft, so no mistake 

 need be made. 



Treatment : When a stone is found, in the major- 

 ity of cases it ought to be removed. This may be 

 done in the mare without cutting the urethra. The 

 hand is oiled and introduced into the vagina at a 

 distance of four inches ; on its floor will be found 

 the opening into the bladder. It is covered by a 

 flap of membrane, which is easily lifted up with the 

 finger. The forefinger is passed into this opening 

 and kept there; a pair of spoon forceps, warmed 

 and oiled, is then passed by the other hand into the 

 opening under the finger, which is withdrawn as 

 soon as the forceps enter the opening; the blades 



