160 
RETENTION OF URINE IN WETHER SHEEP FROM A 
DEPOSITION OF EARTHY MATTER IN THE APPEN¬ 
DIX VERMIFORMIS URETHRALIS. 
By Mr. Robert Read, V.8., Crediton. 
This complaint in wether sheep is not mentioned in the valua¬ 
ble Work on Sheep, nor, to the best of my knowledge, is it alluded 
to by any other author: my object, therefore, in bringing it into 
notice through the medium of The VETERINARIAN, is the advance¬ 
ment of our science in the medical treatment of this and every do¬ 
mesticated animal which comes under the veterinary surgeon’s care. 
I am well pleased to find that some necessary arrangements are 
making at our fountain-head—the Veterinary College—for the in¬ 
struction of this much neglected branch of the student’s education. 
May it be done in right good earnest ! 
This disorder happens to wether sheep most commonly on being 
turned into clover buds for the second clover crop. A country 
practitioner may meet with two or three cases of it in the course of 
a year. The symptoms are, a lagging behind the rest—a great dis¬ 
inclination to move—-being easily caught—fever—the ears droop¬ 
ing—-the eyes dull— short panting respiration™ often wriggling of the 
tail, and standing in a position to make water. After some time 
has elapsed the flanks are distended, and pain is evinced on pres¬ 
sure being made on the sides. 
Having clearly made out the case, the sheep should be cast on 
his rump, and his head bent forward so as to describe an arch. 
This is to be done by the assistant. Then with the finger and 
thumb the prepuce should be pressed down, and the glans penis 
with its appendages will slip out. The operator will then find the 
appendix vermiformis urethralis : I know of no other name for 
it, except that it is commonly called by farmers the wire-worm." 
It sometimes is filled, and, at other times, only in part so, wdth a 
white earthy matter, of a saponaceous feeling when rubbed between 
the finger and thumb, and of a slightly ammoniacal smell. No 
doubt this is an ammoniaco-magnesian phosphate produced from an 
alkaline quality in the ingesta or alimentary matter. 
As the second clover crop is so apt to produce it, does it contain 
an excess of alkali 1 We know that if we take an excess of soda or 
potass there is, on our voiding the last drops of urine, a similar de¬ 
position on its being caught on bibulous paper. This accumulation 
in sheep is, no doubt, aided by the mucus which lines the urinary 
passages, and, the contents of the bladder not being forcibly voided, 
a deposition takes place. 
