73 



fomentations with warm water or witli infusion of digitalis leaves is a 

 safer resort than diuretics, and cupping over the loins may also benefit. 

 To apply a cup shave the skin and oil it; then take a narrow-mouthed 

 glass, rarefy the air within it by introducing a taper in full flame for 

 a second, withdraw the taper and instantly apply the mouth of the 

 glass to the skin and hold it closely applied till the cooling tends to 

 form a A^acuum in the glass and to draw up the skin, like a sucker. 



As in the acute inflammation, every attention must be given to secure 

 warm clothing, a warm stall, and pure air. 



TUMORS OF THE KIDNEYS — PARASITES. 



Tumors, whether malignant or simple, would give rise to sjnnptoms 

 resembling some form of inflammation, and are not likely to be recog- 

 nized during life. To parasites of the kidney belong the eehinococcus, 

 the larval or bladder- worm stage of the small eehinococcus tape-woimi 

 of the dog; also the Cysticercus fistularis, another bladder- Avorm of an 

 unknown tape- worm ; but in these there is the possibility of the pas- 

 sage with the urine of a detached head of the bladder-worm or of'some 

 of its microscopic booklets, which might be found in the sediment of 

 the urine. So with Strongylus gigas (giant strongle), the largest of 

 round worms, which has been found in the kidney of the horse, and 

 the presence of which could only be certified by the i^assage of its 

 microscopic eggs or of the entire worm. 



SPASM OF THE NECK OF THE BLADDER. 



This affection consists in spasmodic closure of the outlet from the 

 bladder by tonic contraction of the circular muscular fibers. It may 

 be accompanied by a painful contraction of the muscles on the body 

 of the bladder, or if the organ is already undulj^ distended these will 

 be affected with temi^orary j)aral3' sis. It is most frequent in the horse, 

 but by no means unknown in the mare. 



The causes are usually hard and continuous driving without opi)or- 

 tunity for passing urine, cold rain-storms, draughts of cold air when 

 perspiring and fatigued, the administration of Spanish fly or the appli- 

 cation of extensive blisters of the same, abuse of diuretics, the pres- 

 ence of acrid diuretic plants in the fodder, and the presence of stone 

 in the bladder. As most mares refuse to urinate wliile in harness, 

 they should be unhitched at sui talkie times for urination. Spasms 

 of the bowels are always attended by spasm of the bladder, hence 

 the free passage of water is usually a symptom of relief. 



The symptoms are frequent stretching and straining to urinate, 

 with no result or a slight dribbling only. These vain efforts are 

 attended by pain and groaning. On resuming his natural position the 

 animal is not freed from the pain, but moves uneasily, paws, shakes 

 the tail, kicks at the abdomen with his hind feet, looks back to the 

 5961— HOR 3* 



