CHAPTER XVIII 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE 



ORGANS 



ABNORMAL URINE 



Hematuria signifies the presence of blood in the urine. It 

 results from severe inflammation of any portion of the urinary- 

 tract. Injuries to the bladder from bladder-stone is a common 

 cause. When collected in a glass and allowed to stand the blood- 

 corpuscles appear as a red sediment. In azoturia the urine 

 takes on a dark-brown or coffee color from the presence of large 

 quantities of free hemoglobin (hemoglobinuria). 



Turbid urine is seen in health. The turbidity is due to the 

 large amount of lime and magnesium salts in the urine. When the 

 pelvis of the kidney or the bladder becomes infected with pus- 

 producing organisms the turbidity of the urine is increased. A 

 viscid, gelatinous sediment occurs in these cases due to the presence 

 of a large amount of mucin. 



Polyuria signifies the habitual excessive discharge of urine. 

 It is a symptom of diabetes, and is due to overstimulation of the 

 kidneys from improper feeds or to reckless administration of diu- 

 retic medicines. The patient shows great thirst, a depraved appe- 

 tite, and a rough coat. 



Frequent urination is a very disagreeable vice, confined mostly 

 to mares. They will stop at frequent intervals to pass small 

 quantities of urine. It may be caused by irritation from a stone 

 in the bladder or by nervousness coincident with the period of 

 heat. 



RETENTION OF THE URINE 



Inability to pass urine often complicates azoturia, colic, and 

 other diseases. It is due to a paralysis of the muscles in the 

 bladder walls or to a spasm of the muscle which guards the opening 

 into the urethra. In the male strictures in the urethra, an accumu- 

 lation of smegma in the sheath, and other mechanical obstructions 



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