200 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
condition is observed, the patient’s hips should be raised by supporting, 
them with pillows, and the tumour should be only very gently kneaded 
with the view of getting back the protruded bowel. The treatment is. 
considerably aided by immersing the patient in a warm bath, and giving 
about twenty drops of laudanum or chlorodyne. Ice placed round the, 
swelling for half an hour or so, is often very effective. If these means, 
fail, surgical aid is absolutely necessary. Purgatives should not he given * 
Retention of the urine. 
Retention or inability to pass the water may be caused by stricture, 
injury, shock, spasm, inflammation of some part of the passage, the 
effects of drinking, or by chill. 
Symptoms. —The bladder is unable to expel its contents and it gets 
fuller and fuller; it can be felt in its distended condition as a painful, 
soft swelling in the lower part of the belly, below the navel, underneath 
the skin and muscles. There may be fever, great pain and constant 
desire to pass water, with inability to do so. When the bladder becomes 
greatly distended, there is usually slight dribbling of water, which is 
somewhat misleading, as the case may be considered, not one of retention 
but rather of too frequent passing of urine. 
Treatment .—Give a saline purge such as Epsom salts, three or four 
teaspoonfuls, and let the patient sit in a bath of hot water. If not 
relieved very quickly then pass a clean catheter into the bladder, and 
allow it to empty itself ( see Catheters, p. 246). After the bladder has 
been emptied put the patient to bed and give a dose of opium or 
bromide of potassium to procure rest. When he desires to pass water 
again let him have another bath, and if this is not effectual, again 
withdraw the water through a catheter. Patient should be careful to» 
ward off further attacks by avoiding chills, over-drinking, and other 
exciting causes. If there is inflammation of the bladder, copaiba or 
sandal wood capsules should be used; if the urine is irritating, bi¬ 
carbonate of soda must be given. 
Suppression of urine. 
In this serious condition no urine is secreted by the kidneys, so that on 
passing a catheter the bladder will be found to be empty. 
