212 SPASM OF THE URETHRA. 
belly is spitefully aimed at with the heavy boot of the countryman. The 
horses know not how to interpret these different signs: they become 
confused; they turn various ways, as if they hoped by such devices to 
please their chastiser. All is in vain! At length the animals burst 
into perspiration and shiver violently; by their alarm they are rendered 
stupid. But so disgusting an exhibition of folly and of cruelty on the 
part of the driver mostly creates small indignation in the wayfarers who 
behold it. The spectators generally look on with smiling countenances, 
and for the most part move onward without a word of displeasure or 
rebuke. To the human mind a man appears invested with absolute 
authority over the life which he has bought. So also no man risks 
reprobation, who keeps his animals upon poisonous provender. The hay, 
oats, and beans may be of a character calculated to engender disease. 
But has not the owner purchased the right to treat his property as he 
thinks proper? It is true, religion teaches that life is not in the custody 
of man, and that health is not at mortal command; but where horses are 
involved, all restraints appear to be forgotten, and mankind seem leagued 
together to inflict suffering on the dumb. For, is it not universally 
agreed that heavenly precepts were intended for man alone, and do not 
stoop so low as to include all the creatures the existence of which dates 
prior to the origin of the human being? Animals, according to modern 
interpretation, are excluded from the ample embrace of Christian charity. 
An all-merciful power looks down with pity only upon one inhabitant of 
earth ! 
SPASM OF THE URETHRA. 
This affection is commonly designated spasm of the neck of the blad- 
der. The part named, however, has no fiber capable of excitation; and 
it is difficult to understand how the elastic tissue at the opening of the 
receptacle can display a condition which is inherent only within the 
contractibility of muscle. The compressor urethre muscle, however, 
being morbidly excited, is more than capable of preventing all discharge 
of urine. 
The causes which provoke the spasm are not thoroughly understood. 
The affection is mostly attributed to some acridity existing in the food 
or water; else the supposed agent is said to be developed during the 
process of digestion. 
The symptoms are: a widely straddling gait; total suppression of 
urine, or small portions forcibly ejected at distant intervals. The suf- 
fering attendant on distention of the bladder is sometimes so violent 
that the affection has been mistaken for phrenitis. At other times the 
horse has been imagined to be griped. Both these blunders are unpar- 
