372 
ON CALCULI, AND THE MODE OF 
might be passed along the urethra, and it would crisp upon the 
calculus. Should this be found to be the case, there could then 
be no doubt on the subject, and the stone would therefore re¬ 
quire to be removed by an operation. This, I also observed, as 
the patient is a mare, might be effected, perhaps, by simply di¬ 
lating the urethra. Having introduced the hand into the rectum, 
the stone, if a small one, might be removed by a pair of forceps, 
when it had been pressed towards the orifice by the hand in the 
.intestine. The circumstances of the case should, however, direct 
-the proceedings ; and that, from the shortness of the urethra in 
females there would, perhaps, belittle difficulty in the operation. 
'' I further stated, that as there might be a good deal of dis¬ 
ease induced in the bladder, from the long continuance of the 
calculus in it, the simple removal of the calculus might not, 
perhaps, remove all the effects which had been produced. I 
suggested, therefore, that it might be necessary to inject some¬ 
thing afterwards into the bladder, to wa§h out any particles which 
might remain, or to allay the irritation produced by the long 
continuance of a foreign body in the part; for which purpose 
warm water might be used, or if there seemed to be much pain, 
a solution of opium, or a diluted tincture of the same, might be 
found of service. 
On the 19th of October, I received a letter again from Mr. 
Pope, saying,—‘ You were right with the case of the mare about 
which I wished your advice. There was a stone weighing eight 
ounces in the bladder, which I removed, according to your in¬ 
structions, ten days ago. On introducing my hand into the 
rectum, and pressing downwards, I was surprised to find a large 
hard tumour; and having satisfied myself of its nature, I pro¬ 
ceeded with the operation, by introducing the left hand into the 
rectum, and with it pressing the stone towards the opening of 
the urethra. I had thus a full view of the orifice ; but finding 
from the size of the calculus that it would require an uncommonly 
large wound to allow of the extraction of the stone in one piece, 
1 merely dilated the urethra by making an incision about an inch 
and a half in length ; and then introducing a pair of forceps, I 
took hold of the stone, and broke it down. This was the more 
easily effected from the circumstance of the stone being of a con¬ 
glomerated texture. I then gradually removed the substance 
piece-meal, which, when collected together, weighed upwards of 
eight ounces. After the operation was- completed (which was 
done while the animal was standing), I injected a quantity of 
warm water into the bladder, to wash out any little particles 
which remained, and afterwards injected a very mild solution of 
sulphate of zinc. There remained, however, a good deal of irri¬ 
tation of the bladder, to correct which I gave small doses of the 
