THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 37;s 



prominent causes. Any cause favoring concentration of urine might 

 bring about the fermation of calculi. 



How to know it. — Cistus calculus, or stone in the bladder, occurs in all 

 domestic animals, producing straining in the effort to pass the urine. It 

 will escape in driblets, often drop by drop, or not at all. Blood will often 

 be passed in clots, and crystals of microscopic calculi will be passed. 

 By introducing the oiled hand into the rectum up to the bladder the stone 

 may be felt. Sometimes there are a number of them. 



What to do. — 111 the case of a female the stone may be broken with a 

 lithatrite. In the case of a male the operation is called lithotomy. The 

 male is operated on standing, or else thrown on the right side. The 

 operation must in any event be performed by a competent surgeon, since 

 it involves cutting and the use of instruments that may not be attempted 

 by the novice. » 



Preventive Measures- — The seed of Jamestown weed, or thorn apple 

 (^Datura stramonium) has been given with good effect in preventing the 

 formation of large calculi. Give an ounce of the powdered seed in the 

 feed every other day until six doses are given. In connection with this 

 give the following : 



No. 129. 1 Ounce oil of juniper, 



1 Ounce oil of sassafras, 

 4 Ounces sweet spirits of niter. 



Form into four doses and give one morning and night for two days. 

 Animals predisposed to gravel should be fed on sound hay from old 

 meadows, sound grain, and watered only with soft water. 



IX. Suppression of Urine. 



Causes. — Retention or suppression of urine is due to so many causes, 

 especially in old horses, as paralysis of the bladder, meningitis, lockjaw, 

 severe colic or other acute disease, or from irritating drugs given by 

 ignorant stablemen, that the operator must be informed as to the nature 

 of the case. 



What to do — If it be caused by paralysis the urine must be drawn off 

 several times a day with a catheter. The following will be indicated to 

 be given internally : 



No. 130. yi Drachm extract nux vomica, 



1 Pint water. 



Give as a drench twice a day. 



