73 



by the active contraction of the muscular walls of the abflomen ;,• but 

 this never empties the bladder, and the oiled hand introduced through 

 the rectum may feel the soft, flabby organ still half full of urine. This 

 retained urine is liable to decompose and give off ammonia, which dis- 

 solves the epithelial cells, exposing the raw mucous membrane, and 

 causing the worst type of cystitis. Suppression and incontinence of 

 urine are common also to obstruction of the urethra by stone or other- 

 wise; hence this source of fallacy should be excluded by manual ex- 

 amination along the whole course of that duct. 



Treatment is only applicable in cases in which the determining cause 

 can be abated. In remediable sprains of the back or disease of the 

 spinal cord these must have appropriate treatment, and the urine must 

 be drawn ofi" frequently with a catheter to prevent overdistension and 

 injury to the bladder. If the paralysis persists after recovery of the 

 spinal cord, or if it continues after relief of spasm of the neck of the 

 bladder, apply a pulp of mustard and water over the back part of the 

 bellv in front of the udder, and cover with a rug until the hair stands 

 erect. In the male the mustard may be applied between the thighs 

 from near the anus downward. Daily doses of 2 drams extract of 

 belladonna, or of 2 grains powdered Spanish fly, may serve to rouse 

 the lost tone. These fiiiling, a mild current of electricity daily may 

 STOceed. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER— CYSTITIS— UEOCYSTITIS. 



Cystitis may be slight or severe, acute or chronic, partial or general. 

 It may be caused by abuse of diuretics, especially sucLi as are irritating 

 (cantharides, turpentine, copaiba, resin, etc.), by (he presence of a stone 

 or gravel in the bladder, the irritation of a catheter or other foreign 

 body introduced from without, the septic ferment (bacterium) intro- 

 duced on a filthy catheter, the overdistension of the bladder by re- 

 tained urine, the extrication of ammonia from retained decomposing 

 urine, resulting in destruction of the epithelial cells and irritation of 

 the raw surface, and a too-concentrated and irritating urine. The 

 aj)plication of Spanish flies or turpentine over a too-extensive surface, 

 sudden exposure of a perspiring and tired horse to cold or wet, and the 

 presence of acrid plants in the fodder may cause cystitis, as they may 

 nephritis. Finally, inflammation may extend from a diseased vagina 

 or urethra to the bladder. 



The sympto7ns are slight or severe colicky pains ; the animal moves 

 his hind feet uneasily or even kicks at the abdomen, looks around at 

 his flank, and may even lie down and rise frequently. More char- 

 acteristic are frequently repeated efibrts to urinate, resulting in the 

 discharge of a little clear, or red, or more commonly flocculent urine, 

 always in jets, and accompanied by signs of pain, which persist after 

 the discharge, as shown in continued straining, groaning, and perhaps 

 in movements of the feet and tail. The penis hangs from the sheath, 



