210 CYSTITIS. 
straddling gait, ete. ete., the most prominent sign concerns the emission 
of the urine. The bladder is irritable at the commencement; the kid- 
neys have not secreted half a pint of fluid before it is violently expelled, 
and much straining, accompanied by sounds expressive of pain, follows 
g, 
the act. As the disease progresses, the bladder is contracted, and the 
water issues drop by drop, or as a constant dribble. This particularity 
marks the disease, which is also distinguished from nephritis by the 
roached back being absent; the spine rather being hollowed more than 
is usual in cystitis. 
Most lecturers direct the student to insert the arm up a horse affected 
with cystitis and to feel the compressed 
bladder; this is easily accomplished, as the 
engraving demonstrates; but is the opera- 
tion perfectly safe? White muscular tissue, 
when inflamed, becomes acutely sensitive. 
The bladder possesses a thick coat of that 
substance, and the hand, grasping an organ 
of this formation when in a state of disease, 
would probably torture the sufferer to frenzy. 
It is not wise to excite a creature command- 
ing so huge a strength. There is, however, 
ea SE ne ee test which yields as certain a response, and, 
at the same time, is far less hazardous. This 
consists in placing the hand under the flank and keeping it there till all the 
action which could be attributable to skittishness has disappeared; then 
press the abdomen, which, should it be hard and resistant, is a convinc- 
ing proof cystitis is not present; for contraction of the recti abdominis 
muscles would force the contents of the cavity into violent contact with 
the inflamed bladder. Should any doubt be entertained concerning the 
condition of the muscle named, a little more pressure will soon ascertain 
the fact. However, let the person who applies the test be prepared for 
the consequence, as the application of pressure to a diseased organ 
provokes a sudden and energetic resistance, intended to strike the tor- : 
mentor backward. 
The treatment for inflamed bladder and diseased kidneys is alike as 
regards the administration of aconite root, extract of belladonna, calomel 
and opium. The reader is, therefore, in some measure referred to the 
article upon nephritis; there is, however, a difference in application of 
counter-irritation by means of a rug doubled over a cloth, which last is 
saturated with strong liquor of ammonia diluted with six times its bulk 
of water; should this not be within reach, hot cloths retained under the 
belly are the next best application; but these require constant change 
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