334 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



In the female a small mucous pouch, which opens back- 

 wards, may be found on the floor of the vulva, just behind 

 the termination of the urethra. In passing the catheter 

 some care must be taken to avoid this cul-de-sac. The 

 urine of the ox is alkaline, of a light yellow colour, having 

 a specific gravity of 1032 to 1040. Boussingault estimates 

 the average amount passed at 7*2 kgrs. in twenty-four 

 hours, and his analyses show that as compared with the 

 urine of the horse that of the ox contains more water, hip- 

 purate of potash (16-5 — 4*7), sulphate of potash and chlo- 

 ride of sodium, and much less urea (18*5- — 31), and scarcely 

 any carbonate of lime (0"6 — 10*8). From the prepuce of the 

 male hang downwards long hairs in a tuft of a considerable 

 size. The urine flows in small straight stream while the 

 animal stands still. The cow postures herself for expulsion 

 of urine, and evacuates forcibly and in large stream. 



Disorders of the urinary system naturally divide into 

 those of the secretory organ and the product of the 

 secretory process, on the one hand ; of the urinary passages 

 and the accumulation and evacuation, on the other. 



Section 1. — -Abnormalities of the Urine. 



The production of fluid may be excessive or the reverse, 

 may be perverted, or matters may be abnormally added. 



Diabetes simplex, v. Insipidus. — Profuse urination is 

 dependent on excess of water in the blood (hydrsemia), 

 or on the presence in that fluid of some diuretic principle. 

 Thus, it is sometimes observed as a crisis of fevers, and 

 is nature's means of removal of impurities from the 

 blood. The total daily product of urine is in excess of the 

 normal, but its specific gravity is decreased, and there 

 is a deficiency of colour. The patient is very thirsty, 

 and some fever may be present. The bowels are torpid, 

 the appetite depraved, and the visible mucous membranes 

 very pale. Anajmia is present, and may increase to even 

 a fatal degree. This can hardly be considered a disease, 

 but rather a symptom of unsatisfactory composition of the 

 blood. It must not be too hastily checked, but the 



