DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



109 



The presence of renal calculi create more or less irritation 

 of the kidney, and when, by their growing dimensions, pres- 

 sure on the substance of the gland is produced, this irritation 

 is considerably increased, inflammatory action arises, and sup- 

 puration follows. 



Symptoms. — There is generally an irritable condition of 

 the stomach, and the animal frequently vomits. In walking 

 he moves with a stiff straddling gait, and evinces tenderness 

 on applying pressure to the lumbar region ; the urine is gen- 

 erally voided with pain, in small quantities, and mingled at 

 times with blood, mucus, or pus ; considerable febrile disturb- 

 ance is present, rapid emaciation ensues, and death sooner 

 or later takes place from exhaustion, nephritis, or uremic poi- 

 soning. 



When at first the calculi is small, oval, and smooth, it may 

 descend by the ureter to the bladder without exciting any 

 great disturbance, and be voided from thence again, or it may 

 remain in the bladder, and in the course of time give rise to 

 cystic irritation. 



M. Latour records the following case of renal calculi in 

 the dog: "Seized with pain, August 20, 1827. He barked 

 and rolled himself on the ground almost every minute ; he 

 made frequent attempts to void his urine, which came from 

 him drop by drop. When compelled to walk, his hind and 

 fore-legs seemed to mingle together, and his loins were bent 

 with a perfect curve ; his flanks were drawn in ; he could 

 scarcely be induced to eat ; and he evidently suffered much 

 in voiding his faeces. Mild and demulcent liquids were his 

 only food ; warm baths and injections were applied almost 

 unceasingly, and in eight days he seemed to have perfectly 

 gained his health. In March of the following year the symp- 

 toms returned with greater intensity. His hind legs were 

 drawn after him, he rapidly lost flesh, and his bowlings were 

 fearful and continuous. The same mode of treatment was 

 adopted without any good effect." A calculus weighing 126 

 grains, and composed of-urate of ammonia, and phosphate and 



