March 1, 1901. J Supplement to the " Tropical Agriculturist'' 
649 
We have to thank Mr. A. Chinniah, Veterinary 
Surgeon, for a photograpli of the Calculus, the oper- 
ntion for the removal of which is described by him 
ia his contribution on Crystology to the present 
number. Considering the weight of the stone 
(J3f oz ), its circumference (7j in.), and the fact 
that the patient was discharged within 3 weeks, 
We cannot but commend the skill with which the 
operation was done and the successful antiseptic 
after-treatment. 
Comparing the raiufull at the School of Agri- 
culture and the Fort, we tind a difference of about 
8 inches for the year 1900, the larger rainfall 
being in the Cinnamon Gardens. 
Some months ago a question was asked in the 
Press with reference to the most approved way of 
placing a thermometer for getting reliable readings, 
and if we remember aright, it was given as the 
opinion of an expert that tlie nature of the shad© 
provided was not of consequence. We should 
like to state that we liaife found an appreciable 
difference between the readings under a Calicut- 
tiled roof and one covered with the old-fashioned 
half-round tiles, and we have no doubt that 
there will be a difference where the roof is 
of galvanized iron and again of olas. It would, 
therefore, be as well that there should be a 
uniformity of conditions, particularly in the 
tropics, as regards the conditions under which 
thermometers are kept. 
In this connection we might refer to a case where 
the conditions under which rain was registered 
could not possibly have helped to give correct 
readings. The rain gauge, in this case, was so 
placed that a Union Jack " fluttered on its pole 
above with the result that the precipitation of rain 
must have been seriously interfered with. 
CYSTOTOMY. 
Bv Vetebinaby Surgeon A. Chinniah, 
Colombo, Ceylon. 
History, — A black waler gelding pony about'14*2 
high, eight year old, the property of W. W. Kenny, 
Esq., of Colombo, was brought to my surgery with 
the history that the animal had been passing 
highly blood-colouredlurine. It was treated by me 
for some time with palliative drugs as in the case 
of ordinary Haematuria ; but when the case 
assumed an obstinate nature I suspected that 
there must be some mechanical agent — such as a 
Calculus — doing the mischief, as the symptoms 
suggested- The animal was examined per rectum, 
and the presence of the Calculus was diagnosed 
■with certainty. 
Symptoms. — There was painful straining dur- 
ing micturatioii, but at times the urine passed 
was of normal colour and consistency. After 
brisk exercise the urine passed contained blood 
corpuscles and pigment? in abundance, and the 
expression of the patient during the passing of 
urine indicated great pain. The appetite was all 
throughout good, and there was no noticeable rise 
of temperature. As foon as the proper diagnosis 
was arrived at, I informed the owner that the 
animal must stand the operation, which, if it 
succeeded, was the only means of saving the life 
of the beast. 
Modus Operandi. — The instruments taken for 
the operations were scalpels, sharp-pointed bis- 
toury, Symes' artery forceps, bull-dog forceps 
stone forceps, Gullion's lithotritor, male catheter, 
and the female washing catheter. 
The animal was thrown on the near side and 
general anaesthesia (chloroform) was administered. 
The penis was pulled out, washed and lubricated, 
and the catheter was passed and the penis retained 
all throughout in this position by an assistant 
told off for the work. The off-hind leg was 
drawn a bit in front, I took my position just 
near the croup. The tail was washed antisep- 
tically and given in charge of another assistant 
to be kept in the desired position. An incision 
was made two inches below the rectum along the 
middle line of the perinium downwards. When 
the urethra was reached, the sharp point of the 
bistoury was introduced into the tube (urethra) 
which was eventually slit open to admit the 
passage of the forceps. When the forceps were 
in the bladder the stone was grasped with the, 
assistance of my left arm in the rectum. Several 
attempts were now made to remove the stone 
without performing cystotomy or lithotrity, but 
they proved futile. 
I finally decided to perform Cystotomy. The 
bistoury was passed along the urethra into the 
mouth of the bladder, and guided by my left hand 
per rectum to prevent any rectal fistula, an 
incision was made dividing tlie mouth of tho 
bladder, prostrate glands and (unavoidably) the 
pudic artery. The latter was promptly caught 
and ligatured. This made the operation simple, and 
with the help of the hand, per rectum, the 
removal of the Calculus was easy enough. 
The Calculus weighs 3| ounces and its circum- 
ference is 7^ inches. It is not spherical, but convex 
on both surfaces, and the margin unbroken 
and round. The outer layer is apparently com* 
posed of Phosphate of Lime and the urine of 
Oxalate of Lime, 
After T reatment. — The bladder was washed 
with a tepid solution of Boracic acid. The 
wound was antiseptically treated and painted 
with Iodoform and Eucalyptus oil and left 
open. The animal micturated soon after the 
operation and passed urine both through the 
wound and along the natural passage. Tha 
passage through the wound ceased after the 
first day of the operation, 27th January, 1901. 
The wound was daily dressed antiseptically 
with what I call an antiseptic emulsion, composed 
of Boracic acid. Carbolic acid. Iodoform, Euca- 
lyptus oil, aud Glycerine, and satisfactory pro- 
gress continue to be made, The animal waS 
discharged from my Surgery today, 16th February, 
1901, 
