THE EXAMINATION OF A SICK HORSE. 25 
transverse processes of the vertebra of the loins and beneath the hind- 
most ribs. If the kidneys are actually inflamed and especially sensi- 
tive, pressure or light blows applied here may cause the horse to 
shrink. 
The physical examination of the sexual and generative organs is 
made in large part through the rectum, and this portion of the exami- 
nation should be carried out by a veterinarian only. By this means 
it is possible to discover or locate cysts of the kidneys, urinary 
calculi in the ureters, bladder, or upper urethra, malformations, and 
acute inflammations accompanied by pain. The external genital 
organs are swollen, discolored, or show a discharge as a result of 
local disease or from disease higher in the tract. 
The manner of urinating is sometimes of considerable diagnostic 
importance. Painful urination is shown by frequent attempts, dur- 
ing which but a small quantity of urine is passed; by groaning, by 
constrained attitude, etc. This condition comes from inflammation 
of the bladder or urethra, urinary calculi (stones of the bladder or 
urethra), hemorrhage, tumors, bruises, etc. The urine is retained 
from spasms of the muscle at the neck of the bladder, from calculi, 
inflammatory growths, tumors, and paralysis of the bladder. 
The urine dribbles without control when the neck of the bladder 
is weakened or paralyzed. This condition is seen after the bladder is 
weakened from long-continued retention and where there is a partial 
paralysis of the hind quarters. 
Horses usually void urine five to seven times a day, and pass from 4 
to 7 quarts. Disease may be shown by increase in the number of 
voidings or of the quantity. Frequent urination indicates an irritable 
or painful condition of the bladder or urethra or that the quan- 
tity is excessive. In one form of chronic inflammation of the kidneys 
(interstitial nephritis) and in polyuria the quantity may be increased 
to 20 or 30 quarts daily. Diminution in the quantity of urine comes 
from profuse sweating, diarrhea, high fever, weak heart, diseased and 
nonsecreting kidneys, or an obstruction to the flow. 
The urine of the healthy horse is a pale or at times a slightly red- 
dish yellow. The color is less intense when the quantity is large, and 
is more intense when the quantity is diminished. Dark-brown urine 
is seen in azoturia and in severe acute muscular rheumatism. A 
brownish-green color is seen in jaundice. Red color indicates admix- 
ture of blood from a bleeding point at some part of the urinary tract, 
usually in the kidneys. 
The urine of the healthy horse is not clear and transparent. It 
contains mucus, which causes it to be slightly thick and stringy, and 
a certain amount of undissolved carbonates, causing it to be cloudy, 
A sediment collects when the urine is allowed to stand. The urine of 
the horse is normally alkaline. If it becomes acid the bodies in sus- 
