DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 228 
RETENTION ul TRINE. 
Retention and suppression of urine are terms very often cor 
founded with each other. We have just shown what is v eant by 
suppression, and now it remains for us to understand the true na- 
ture of retention. Retention signifies an undue delay of natural 
discharges. The secretion of urine may be active as ever, yet the 
animal has not the power to void it. The bladder soon becomes 
distended beyond its physiological capacity. Its muscular fibers 
are overstretched, and thus have not the power to contract again 
until the fluid is evacuated by means of the catheter; hence the 
treatment of such a case as this pertains more to the art of sur- 
gery than that of medicine. 
Treatment.—In most of these cases we find the neck of the biad- 
der spasmodically contracted. The spasm may be either primary 
or it may accompany spasmodic colic, which is often the case. In 
fact some animals, when suffering from retention of urine, act just 
as if they had colic; hence it is, in such cases, highly necessary 
that the bladder be examined by introducing a hand into the 
rectum. By this means, should the bladder be distended, it can 
easily be discovered. The catheter must then be introduced, or 
the animal will die from rupture of the bladder. Provided no 
catheter should be at hand, I should throw into the rectum copi- 
ous enemas of warm water, and administer one or two ounces of 
tincture of assafetida as an antispasmodic, which may possibly 
have the desired effect. 
DIABETES, OR PROFUSE STALLING. 
Many veterinary writers contend that diabetes is caused by tne 
administration of diuretics, or else in consequence of improper 
food. In some instances this may be true. Errors of this kind 
may produce an excessive flow of urine, but this does not consti. 
tute diabetes. 
Symptoms.—The characteristic symptom of diabetes is a most 
remarkable change in the quality of the urine. It becomes loaded 
with sugar. It has been found that in true diabetes the urine is 
never without sugar. The most ready test for sugar in urine is 
as follows: Invert a test-tube, filled with urine, to which a small 
quantity of yeast has been added, into a saucer, also containing 
