STONE IN THE BLADDER. 



447 



a bend forward, so as to enter the bladder. In making this in- 

 cision, great care should be taken to keep to the middle line of 

 the urethra, so as to avoid wounding either of the arteries (the 

 internal pudic), or injuring any part of the urethra except that 

 in which the cut has to be made. A special kind of forceps is 

 introduced through the opening into the bladder to catch hold of 

 and remove the stone. A. capable assistant should pass his hand 

 into tlie rectum and aid the operator by directing the stone to- 

 wards the claws of the forceps. The precautions to be adopted 



Fig, 145. — Urinary calculus. 



while performing this not very difficult operation, are fully de- 

 scribed in the French work from which I have compiled the fore- 

 going particulars. English veterinary surgeons, instead of filling 

 the urethra with water, usually pass a catheter, and make the 

 opening by cutting down upon it. They also, as a rule, perform 

 the operation with the horse placed on his back on the ground. 

 When the deposit is in the form of a soft mass, it will have to 

 be removed by a specially made spoon. 



In the mare, the stone can be removed, without the use of the 

 knife, through th© urethra, which is larger than that of the 

 horse, and which opens on the floor of the vagina, at about 

 4 inches from the outside. The opening of the female urethra 

 into the vagina, is guarded by a valve, which points to the rear 

 and which can be easily lifted up with the finger. 



