416 DISEASES OF THE BLADDER 



INCONTINENCE OF URINE. 



Definition.— A constant discharge of the urine from the 

 bladder; inability to retain urine. 



Etiology.— Incontinence may result from several different 

 causes: 



(a) Affections of the spinal cord, as degeneration, edema, 

 compression from hemorrhage, etc. 



(b) Paralysis of the sphincter vesicae. 



(c) Long standing cases of retention. 



(d) Lack of tone of the muscles due to senility. 



(e) Some cases of cystitis. 



(/) Injury to the sphincter muscles from surgical opera- 

 tions, tumors, calculi, etc. 



Symptoms.— Constant dribbling of urine. Examination 

 reveals the bladder empty, and the sphincter vesicas relaxed. 



Prognosis.— Depends upon the primary cause. Usually 

 not considered very favorable as recovery is rarely complete. 



Treatment.— Symptomatic. Determine the cause and apply 

 treatment to relieve it. 



CATARRH OF THE BLADDER. 



Cystitis. Uroc'ystitis. 



Definition.— A catarrhal inflammation of the bladder which 

 may be either acute or chronic. 



Etiology.— The principal causes are: 1. Bacteria (infec- 

 tion), or irritants in the form of toxins, drugs, chemicals, 

 etc. Bacteria gain entrance to the bladder in various ways: 



(a) Through the genito-urinary tract. Catheterization 

 of animals is a common source of infection, the organisms 

 being introduced directly by an infected catheter. In the 

 female germs are easily introduced into the bladder through 

 the urethra, which is short, and its opening near the vulva. 

 A spread of inflammation from other infected parts of the 

 urinary tract, e. g., pyelitis, nephritis, urethritis may also 

 induce cystitis. Retention of urine from any cause leads to 

 decomposition of the urine, and lowering of the normal 



