'71 



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

 of its microscopic booklets, which might be found iu the sedimeut of 

 the urine. So with Stro7i(jylus gigas (giant strongle), the largest of round 

 worms, which has been found in tbe kidney of the horse, and tbe pres- 

 ence of wbicli could only be certified by tbe passage of its microscopic 

 eggs or of the entire worm. 



SPASM OF THE NECK OF THE BLADDER. 



Tbis affection consists in spasmodic closure of the outlet from tbe 

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

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

 bladder, or if tbe organ is already unduly distended these will be affected 

 with temporary paralysis. It is most frequent iu the horse, but by no 

 means unknown iu the mare. 



The causes are usually hard and continuous driving without opportu- 

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

 spiring and fatigued, the administration of Si)anish fly or tbe applica- 

 fion of extensive blisters of tlie same, abuse of diuretics, tbe presence 

 of acrid diuretic plants in the fodder, and tbe presence of stone iu tbe 

 bladder. As most mares refuse to urinate while iu harness, tbey should 

 be unhitched at suitable times for urination. Spasms of tbe bowels 

 are always attended by spasm of tbe bladder, hence tbe free passage of 

 water is usually a symptom of relief. 



Tbe symj}toms are frequent stretcbing'and straining to urinate, with no 

 result or a slight dribbling only. These vain efforts are attended by 

 pain and groaning. Ou resuming bis natural position the animal is 

 not freed from tbe pain, but moves uneasily, paws, shakes tbe tail, 

 kicks at the abdomen with his bind feet, looks back to tbe flank, lies 

 down and rises, arches the back, and attempts to urinate as before. If 

 the oiled band is introduced into tbe rectum tbe greatly distended blad- 

 der may be felt beneath, and the patient will often shrink when it is 

 handled. 



It is important to notice that irritation of the urinary organs is often 

 present in impaction of tbe colon with solid matters, because the im- 

 pacted intestine under the straining of the patient is forced backward 

 into the pelvis and presses upon and irritates tbe bladder. In such 

 cases tbe horse stands with his fore limbs advanced and tbe hind ones 

 stretched back beyond the natural posture, and makes frequent elibrts 

 to urinatfe with varying success. Unpracticed observers naturally cou- 

 cluiie that the secondary urinary trouble is tbe main and only one, and 

 tbe intestinal impaction and obstruction is too often neglected until it 

 is irremediable. In cases where the irritation has caused spasm of tbe 

 neck of the bladder and overdistension of that organ, tbe mistake is 

 still more easily made, hence it is important iu all cases to examine for 

 the impacted bowel, forming a bend or loop at tbe entrance of tbe j)elvi8 

 and usually toward the left side. Tbe impacted intestine feels soft and 



