314 INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 



uncertain. It is evidently increased action of the kidneys, and therefore the 

 most rational plan of treatment is to endeavour to abate that action. In order 

 to effect this, the same course should be pursued in the early stage of diabetes 

 as in actual inflammation ; but the lowering system must not be carried to so 

 great an extent. To bleeding, purging, and counter-irritation, medicines of an 

 astringent quality should succeed, as catechu, the powdered leaf of the whortle- 

 berry (uva ursi), and opium. Very careful attention should he paid to the 

 food. The hay and oats should be of the best quality. Green meat, and espe- 

 cially carrots, will be very serviceable. 



BLOODY URINE— HEMATURIA. 



The discharge of urine of this character is of occasional occurrence. Pure 

 blood is sometimes discharged which immediately coagulates — at other times it 

 is more or less mixed with the urine, and does not coagulate. The cause of 

 its appearance and the source whence it proceeds cannot always be determined, 

 but it is probably the result of some strain or blow. It may or may not be 

 accompanied by inflammation. 



Should it be the result of strain or violence, or be evidently attended by 

 inflammation, soothing and depleting measures should be adopted. Perhaps 

 counter-irritation on the loins might be useful: If there is no apparent inflam- 

 mation, some gentle stimulus may be administered internally. 



ALBUMINOUS URINE. 

 A peculiar mucous state of the urine of some horses has lately attracted 

 attention. It has been associated with stretching out of the legs, stiffness, disin- 

 clination to move, a degree of fever, and costiveness. Slight bleeding, mild physic, 

 the application of gentle stimulants to the loins, quietness, and gentle opiates, 

 have been of service. We are indebted to Mr. Percivall for what we do 

 know of the disease. It is a subject worthy of the attention of the veterinary 

 surgeon. 



THE BLADDER. 

 The urine separated from the blood is discharged by the minute vessels, of 

 which we have spoken, into some larger canals, which terminate in a cavity or 

 reservoir in the body of each kidney, designated its pelvis. Thence it is conveyed 

 by a duct called the ureter, to a larger reservoir, the bladder. It is constantly 

 flowing from the kidney through the ureter ; and were there not this provision 

 for its detention, it would be incessantly and annoyingly dribbling from the 

 animal. The bladder lies in, and when distended by urine nearly fills, the 

 cavity of the great bones of the haunch, termed the pelvis. It has three coats, 

 the outer one covering the greater part of it, and being a portion of the peri- 

 toneum : the muscular, consisting of two layers of fibres, as in the stomach ; 

 the external, running longitudinally, and the inner circularly, so that it may 

 yield to the pressure of the urine as it enters, and contract again into an 

 exceedingly small space as it runs out, and by that contraction assist in the 

 expulsion of the urine. The inner coat contains numerous little glands, 

 which secrete a mucous fluid to defend the bladder from the acrimony of the 

 urine. The bladder terminates in a small neck, round which is a strong muscle, 

 keeping the passage closed, and retaining the urine until, at the will of the 

 animal, 01 when the bladder contains a certain quantity of fluid, the muscular 

 coat begins to contract, the diaphragm is rendered convex towards the intestines, 

 and presses them on the bladder, and by these united powers the fluid is forced 

 through the sphincter muscle at the neck of the bladder, and escapes. 



