252 Veterinary Medicine. 



numerous cysts as small as hempseed. Intra-abdominal tumors of 

 the spermatic cord have been known to block the passage. Again 

 tubercles have formed on the urethra, and polypi on the trig- 

 onum vesicae have blocked the ureter and produced all the evil 

 consequences of calculus, parasites, etc. 



Course. . The progress of the disease will vary greatly according 

 to the nature of the lesion. With complete rupture of the ureter 

 the urine as a rule escapes into the peritoneal cavity. If the 

 urine is aseptic this may not lead to serious results and the edges 

 of the wound cicatrizing, the urine is imprisoned in the ureter 

 and pelvis of the kidney, and leads to final atrophy of the kidney 

 and hydro-nephrosis. When on the other hand infecting matter 

 escapes with the urine, as in perforating ulcer, tubercle, glanders, 

 cancer, infective catarrh of the kidneys or ureter, such infection 

 is brought in contact with the whole peritoneal surface, where 

 secondary infections follow. In cases associated with penetrating 

 wounds, wounds resulting from dystokia, calculous or parasitic 

 obstruction, similar infection is to be dreaded. 



The symptoms are by no means clear, unless the injury result 

 from external traumatism, or when it can be detected by rectal 

 exploration. There may be blood staining of the urine, stiffness 

 of the loins, lameness in one hind limb, tenderness of the lumbar 

 vertebrae and of their tranverse processes on pinching, frequent 

 straining to pass urine, a disposition to remain recumbent, pain 

 and groaning when rising, or when turned in a narrow circle. 

 Under rectal examination the blocked ureter may sometimes be 

 recognized, its cystic end shrunken and empty, up to the seat of 

 obstruction, and its renal end, from the hypersensitive seat of ob- 

 struction forward, full, rounded, elastic and firm. If the ureter has 

 been ruptured, it may be impossible to distinguish it, but the 

 presence of urine free in the peritoneum may be detected through 

 the rectum as it may often be through the abdominal walls. 

 Sometimes the urine infiltrates the subperitoneal connective tissue, 

 and forms a pasty swelling on the loin or flank. In either case a 

 hollow needle inserted will draw off a liquid having an urinous 

 odor. That this urine has escaped in front of the bladder maybe 

 safely inferred from the continued discharge of urine by the 

 urethra and by the absence of cystic swelling, heat and tender- 

 ness. If the kidney can be reached by rectal exploration it is 



