152 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
the course normal to extrauterine life. Imperfect closure is more fre- 
quent in males than in females, because of the great length and small 
caliber of the male urethra and its consequent tendency to obstruction. 
In the female there may be a discharge of a few drops only at a time, 
while in the male the urine will be expelled in strong jets coincidently 
with the contractions of the bladder and walls of the abdomen. 
The first care is to ascertain whether the urethra is pervious by 
passing a human catheter. This determined, the open urachus may be 
firmly closed by a stout, waxed thread, carried with a needle through 
the tissues back of the opening and tied in front of it so as to inclose 
as little skin as possible. If a portion of the naval string remains, the 
tying of that may be all sufficient. It is important to tie as early as 
possible so as to avoid inflammation of the navel from contact with 
the urine. In summer a little carbolic-acid water or tar water may 
be applied to keep the flies off. 
EVERSION OF THE BLADDER. 
This can occur only in the female. It consists in the turning of the 
organ outside in through the channel of the urethra, so that it appears 
as a red, pear-shaped mass hanging from the floor of the vulva and 
protruding externally between its lips. It may be a mass like the fist, 
or it may swell up to the size of an infant’s head. On examining its 
upper surface the orifices of the urethra may be seen, one on each side, 
a short distance behind the neck, with the urine oozing from them 
drop by drop. 
This displacement usually supervenes on a flaccid condition of the 
bladder, the result of paralysis, overdistention, or severe compression 
during a difficult parturition. 
The protruding organ may be washed with a solution of 1 ounce of 
laudanum and a teaspoonful of carbolic acid in a quart of water, and 
returned by pressing a smooth, rounded object into the fundus and 
directing it into the urethra, while careful pressure is made on the 
surrounding parts with the other hand. If too large and resistant it 
may be wound tightly in a strip of bandage about 2 inches broad 
to express the great mass of blood and exudate and diminish the bulk 
of the protruded organ so that it can be easily pushed back. This 
method has the additional advantage of protecting the organ against 
bruises and lacerations in the effort made to return it. After the 
return, straining may be kept in check by giving laudanum (1 to 2 
ounces) and by applying a truss to press upon the lips of the vulva. 
(See Eversion of the womb.) The patient should be kept in a stall a 
few inches lower in front than behind, so that the action of gravity 
will favor retention. 
