RETENTION OF URINE IN A HORSE. 
583 
I endeavoured, though ineffectually, to dislodge it by forcing 
it downwards, but, failing in this, I determined to extract it 
by cutting down upon the urethra. Having secured the 
patient as safely as the standing position would allow, with 
the aid of an assistant to keep the penis firmly fixed, I 
was enabled—after some difficulty, arising chiefly from the 
animal's struggles—to effect the extraction of the calculus. 
This done, a copious flow of urine, both from the ordinary 
and the artificial outlets, took place. The flow, however, 
became suddenly arrested, which determined me to pass the 
catheter, and on doing this I drew off a still larger quantity 
of urine. 
On the following morning, wishing, if possible, to ascer¬ 
tain upon what cause the sudden arrestation of the flow of 
urine after the removal of the calculus depended, I made 
another examination of the bladder, but was unable to detect 
anything which would satisfactorily account for it. On the 
next day, however, I removed two smaller calculi, which 
presented themselves at the wound in the urethra. 
The patient was by this time free from pain, and tranquil. 
He urinated freely from both outlets, and continued to do so 
with a gradual decrease in the quantity flowing from the 
wound till the fourteenth day after the operation. By this 
date all the urine passed by the natural outlet, unaccom¬ 
panied by any inconvenience to the animal, which had now 
returned to his usual work. 
The stone is heart-shaped, measuring an inch and a half 
in length by an inch in breadth across the part correspond¬ 
ing to the base of the heart. It is extremely rough and 
irregular in outline. I unfortunately lost the tw’o smaller 
stones, which were removed on the second day. 
There was considerable swelling about the perinseum for 
two or three days, owing, as I suppose, to injuries inflicted 
on the lining membrane of the urethra by the stone in its 
descent. 
I have made the foregoing communication as brief as pos¬ 
sible, as I was not desirous of trespassing on your valuable 
space by giving any detailed account of the treatment pur¬ 
sued subsequent to the operation. Suffice to say it was ex¬ 
tremely simple. If, however, I have omitted anything which 
your readers may deem important, I shall be only happy to 
supply any additional information at any future period. 
