656 OPEKATIONS. 



should pass the catheter, containing the stillet, gently upwards until 

 its point arrives at the bend which the urethra makes before it 

 enters the bladder. The catheter can be felt, by the finger, on the 

 median line directly underneath the anus. When the point of the 

 catheter arrives at the bony prominence just below that part, the 

 stillet should be withdrawn, and the operator should place his finger 

 on the iDoint of the catheter, so as to depress it, and to cause it to 

 enter the bladder. He should introduce his hand into the rectum, if 

 necessary. While he is thus guiding the catheter, the assistant 

 should push it upwards, taJdng care to avoid any roughness in so 

 doing. 



The foregoing' description is that of the usual manner in which 

 the male catheter is used. Veterinary-Surgeon Desmond performs 

 the operation as follows : " With a sponge, soap and warm water, 

 wash the sheath, and then gently draw out the penis by firm but 

 gentle traction on the glans penis. When the gland is just beyond 

 the sheath, place a fine flexible catheter in the soapy warm water, 

 and pass it gently oip the penis as far as it will go. If the urine 

 does not escape, blow air forcibly through the free end of the 

 catheter with the mouth. If the air cannot be heard to enter the 

 bladder, the catheter must be pushed further up. 



"Vaseline, fats and oil should not be used. Soapy water is 

 best, and it does not destroy the catheter. The catheter should be 

 finer and more flexible than those usually supplied. I have passed 

 the catheter many thousands of times, and in no case has the 

 animal required to have a twitch, hobbles, or even a leg held up. 

 All that is needed is a man to hold him.^' 



The female catheter is a tube of similar material to the instru- 

 ment used for horses. It is about a foot long, and is not provided 

 with a stillet. 



The orifice of the urethra in the mare is situated on the floor of 

 the vulva and 4 to 6 inches within the external opening, and is 

 guarded by a large valve of mucous membrane. The free end of 

 this valve is inclined backwards, so as to prevent the urine entering 

 the vagina. The urethra of the mare is wider than that of the 

 horse, and is very short. The urinary valve should be lifted up 

 by the point of the right index finger, and the catheter having 

 been well oiled, should be gently pushed onward until it enters the 

 bladder. The urine contained in the bladder will then find a ready 

 escape. 



When the bladder has been distended for a considerable time, 

 it may become partially paralyzed, in which, case it is good practice, 

 both with the horse and with the mare, to put the right hand in 

 the rectum, and to aid evacuation by exerting gentle pressure on 

 the bladder. 



