ON IRRITABLE BLADDER. 
By Mr. Mayer, Sen., 'Newcastle-under- Line. 
Messrs. Editors, — I have been induced to forward you the 
following paper upon this rare disease, for the benefit of the 
profession at large, not knowing that it has even as yet entered 
into the catalogue of maladies incident to the horse. Fortu- 
nately for the brute creation, from the very simple fare they live 
upon, they are rendered less liable to those complicated dis- 
eases of the urinary organs so often met with in man : the 
latter has his animal frame supported by such an endless variety 
of artificial condiments and viands, and so often forgets that 
he should eat simply to live, and not live for the sake oj eating, 
that it is no wonder that so varied and wonderful a structure 
should become deranged, and diseases ensue. 
Whenever this affection occurs in a mare, it may, from the 
very simple conformation of her urinary organs, remain through 
life, without seriously affecting her, or proving fatal ; but in the 
horse the results are very different, arising out of the peculiar 
structure of those parts in him. Whenever irritation or in- 
flammation occurs in the mucous membrane of the bladder, it 
extends itself by sympathy to the kidneys, along the lengthened 
course of the urethra, producing spasmodic stricture, and, if 
neglected, permanent stricture ; it also affects the prostate gland 
and vesicula seminalis. In the stallion it might affect the testicle, 
producing enlargement of it; and also, very often, the inguinal 
glands, occasioning inflammation and suppuration. Under 
these circumstances, if death does not occur from a total sup- 
pression of urine, it sooner or later takes place from the 
animal being worn out, not only from the local irritation, 
but the general constitutional derangement it gives rise to, 
particularly in the digestive organs ; and, on the other hand, 
deranged digestion, and a consequent morbid secretion of urine, 
often operates as powerfully in exciting disease and deranged 
structure in the urinary organs. 
Causes. — It may originate from calculus in the bladder ; de- 
ranged function of the kidneys, and consequent morbid forma- 
tion of irritating urinary salts; from spasmodic or permanent 
stricture ; or its origin may depend upon chronic irritation and 
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the caecum and large 
intestines, extending their effects by nervous sympathy to the 
whole urinary apparatus. 
Prognosis . — A correct idea of the ultimate issue of these 
