DISEASES OF THE UEINAEY OEGANS. 129 



Causes. — Among the causes of spasm of the neck of the bladder 

 may be named the lodgment of small stones or gravel, the feeding on 

 irritant diuretics (see "Bloodj' urine," p. 119, or "Nephritis," p. 123), 

 the enforced retention of urine while at work or during a painful or 

 difficult parturition. The irritation attendant on inflammation of the 

 mucous membrane of the bladder may be a further cause of spasms of 

 the neck, as may also be inflammation of the channel (urethra) back 

 of the neck. Extensive applications of Spanish flies to the skin, the 

 abuse of diuretics, and the occurrence of indigestion and spasms of 

 the bowels are further causes. So long as spasmodic colic is unre- 

 lieved, retention of water from spasm of the neck of the bladder 

 usually persists. 



Treatment. — Treatment will depend largely on the cause. In indi- 

 gestion the irritant contents of the Ixjwels must be got rid of by 

 laxatives and injections of warm Avater; Spanish-fly blisters must be 

 washed from the surface; a prolonged and too active exertion must 

 be intermitted. The spasm may be relaxed by injecting one-half 

 ounce solid extract of belladonna in water into the rectum or by a 

 solution of tobacco. Chloroform or ether may be given by inhalation, 

 or chloral hydrate (1 ounce) may be given in water by the mouth. 

 Fomentations of warm water may be made over the loins and between 

 the thighs, and the oiled hand inserted into the rectum may press 

 moderately on the anterior part of the bladder, which can be felt as 

 an elastic fluctuating bag of an oval shape just beneath. 



All other measures failing, the liquid must be drawn off through a 

 tube (catheter). This is, however, exceedingly difficult, alike in male 

 and female, and we can not expect an amateur to succeed in accom- 

 plishing it. In the cow the opening into the bladder is found in the 

 median line of the floor of the generative entrance, about 1 inches in 

 front of the external opening, but it is flanked on either side by a 

 blind pouchy into which the catheter will jDass, in ninety-nine cases 

 out of a hundred, in the hands of any but the most skilled operator. 

 In the bull or steer the penis, when retracted into its sheath, is bent 

 upon itself like the letter S, just above the scrotum and testicles (see 

 PI, IX, fig. 2), and unless this bend is effaced by extending the organ 

 forward out of its sheath it is quite impossible to pass a catheter 

 beyond this point. When, however, the animal can be tempted by 

 the presentation of a female to protrude the penis, so that it can be 

 seized and extended, or when it can be manipulated forward out of 

 the sheath, it becomes possible to pass a catheter of small caliber (one- 

 third inch or under) onward into the bladder. Youatt advised to lay 

 open the sheath so as to reach and extend the penis, and others have 

 advocated opening the uretha in the interval between the thighs or 

 just beneath the anus^ but such formidable operations are beyond the 

 16923°— 12 9 



