URETHRAL AND URETAL CALCULI. 
135 
tion of diseases which I have attempted to describe. What 
may appear particularly worthy of remark is the fact, that all 
this mischief should have been going on so long a time with- 
out the manifestation of any more serious symptoms. But 
this is a circumstance of consideration that very frequently 
forces itself on the Veterinarian. Animals that up to within 
a few hours of death have always appeared in the enjoyment 
of high health are frequently found to have sunk under some 
malady whose gradual and insidious progress has probably 
been the work of months or even years. So strange and 
mysterious are the powers of this marvellous mechanism we 
call animal life. 
Such then was the somewhat unsatisfactory termination of 
this highly interesting case. Whether or not a more early 
application of correct treatment could have obviated the 
fatal consequence is a matter of speculation on which it would 
be idle to dilate. For my own part, I confess that I have a 
very strong opinion on the subject. 
Perhaps I ought to add, in conclusion, that the calculi 
resembled in external appearance the description called 
u mulberry.” They are at present in the possession of Pro- 
fessor Morton, to whom I had much pleasure in presenting 
them, as to one who has devoted much valuable time and 
ability to the subject of calculous concretions in the lower 
animals. I remain, yours, &c., 
W. Litt, M.R.C.V.S. 
Shrewsbury ; Feb. 1 , 1855 . 
[We thank Mr. Litt for these concretions, and also the 
interesting account above recorded. The remarks made in 
the case of Cystic Calculus, by Professor Spooner, precludes 
the necessity of adding anything to the formation of these 
deposits. 
In all probability, wherever they may be found, they have 
a common origin in the pelvis of the kidney. Here, at any 
rate, the change in the urine first takes place, and the nucleus 
of each calculus is formed. Sometimes it is retained in this 
cavity, and ultimately forms a renal calculus, which often 
attains a considerable size. At other times it becomes dis- 
lodged, and in its passage towards the bladder is arrested in 
the ureter, and then it constitutes a uretal calculus. Should 
it enter the bladder, it may here remain for a long period, 
gradually increasing in size by the accretion of particles, and 
a cystic, calculus will be the result. Or, escaping thence, it 
passes into the urethra, and being lodged within that canal, 
it forms a urethral calculus. 
