256 
ON IRRITABLE BLADDER. 
cases must depend, in the first place, upon its previous duration, 
and in the next, upon the exciting causes. If it arises from 
calculus, with removal the effects will cease ; if from general 
derangement of the digestive organs, there is every probability 
of its being cured when taken early, and a proper treatment 
adopted ; if from stricture, the morbid irritation set up by this 
will cease upon its removal. 
Diagnosis . — This disease might be confounded with stone in 
the bladder ; but it may be distinguished from it in two ways. 
First, in case of stone you will find a sudden obstruction to the 
flow of urine ; and when the last portions of it are being ex- 
pelled, it is done with great pain and difficulty, accompanied 
with frequent discharge of blood. In irritable bladder, although 
you may have the urine occasionally tinged with blood, yet it is 
continually dribbling away, comparatively easy and free from 
pain. Secondly, the calculus may be detected by passing the 
hand and arm up the rectum, and bringing the bladder within 
the grasp of the hand, when the stone may be immediately felt. 
If the cause depends upon stricture, it is easily ascertained by 
passing a bougie. When there is neither calculus nor stricture 
to account for the origin of the affection, it may be set down as 
arising out of the general deranged functions of the system, 
particularly those of the chylopoietic viscera. 
Symptoms . — It is characterized by a continual straining, and 
voiding of urine, which in mares flows continually down their 
thighs, staining them, all the way down, with the earthy and 
saline matter with which the urine is loaded. In horses, the 
urine is continually dropping from the end of the penis, which 
is hanging down partially drawn. If the disease continues any 
length of time, the animal loses its condition, becoming much 
emaciated, and incapable of work ; the appetite is impaired and 
variable ; and, as the disease progresses, abscesses form in the 
groin, from sympathetic irritation. Spasmodic stricture may 
also take place along some portion of the urethra, which, if 
not relieved by the occasional passing of a bougie or elastic 
catheter, excites extraordinary local and constitutional irritation, 
ending ultimately, if neglected, in permanent stricture, with all 
its concomitant evils. 
Treatment . — The indication of cure is, to put the digestive 
organs and their respective secretions into a healthy condition — 
to alleviate and relieve all the local symptoms by those means 
which will soothe local irritation, and, at the same time, remove 
the local causes, if there are any. For these purposes altera- 
tive doses of aperient medicines should be adopted, so as not 
to irritate the bowels and parts connected with them, but yet 
