APPLICATION OF THE AMMONIACAL BLISTER.
The cause of cystitis is the same as produces many cases of inflamed kidney, namely, the abuse of medicine, or new and unwholesome food; blows likewise may induce it. Kicks under the belly, the too common mode of expressing impatience among carters, are very likely to provoke it. Horses are frequently seen in the streets of every town now whipped to make them proceed; then the rein jagged to command the animal to "stand still." Next the whip is again applied; afterward the animal's belly is spitefully aimed at with the heavy boot of the countryman. The horses know not how to interpret these different signs: they become confused; they turn various ways, as if they hoped by such devices to please their chastiser. All is in vain! At length the animals burst into perspiration and shiver violently; by their alarm they are rendered stupid. But so disgusting an exhibition of folly and of cruelty on the part of the driver mostly creates small indignation in the wayfarers who behold it. The spectators generally look on with smiling countenances, and for the most part move onward without a word of displeasure or rebuke. To the human mind a man appears invested with absolute authority over the life which he has bought. So also no man risks reprobation, who keeps his animals upon poisonous provender. The hay, oats, and beans may be of a character calculated to engender disease. But has not the owner purchased the right to treat his property as he thinks proper? It is true, religion teaches that life is not in the custody of man, and that health is not at mortal command; but where horses are involved, all restraints appear to be forgotten, and mankind seem leagued together to inflict suffering on the dumb. For, is it not universally agreed that heavenly precepts were intended for man alone, and do not stoop so low as to include all the creatures the existence of which dates prior to the origin of the human being? Animals, according to modern interpretation, are excluded from the ample embrace of Christian charity. An all-merciful power looks down with pity only upon one inhabitant of earth!
SPASM OF THE URETHRA.
This affection is commonly designated spasm of the neck of the bladder. The part named, however, has no fiber capable of excitation; and it is difficult to understand how the elastic tissue at the opening of the receptacle can display a condition which is inherent only within the contractibility of muscle. The compressor urethræ muscle, however, being morbidly excited, is more than capable of preventing all discharge of urine.
The causes which provoke the spasm are not thoroughly understood. The affection is mostly attributed to some acridity existing in the food or water; else the supposed agent is said to be developed during the process of digestion.
The symptoms are: a widely straddling gait; total suppression of urine, or small portions forcibly ejected at distant intervals. The suffering attendant on distention of the bladder is sometimes so violent that the affection has been mistaken for phrenitis. At other times the horse has been imagined to be griped. Both these blunders are unpardonable. The haggard countenance, copious perspirations, and the frequent glances toward the flanks, joined to the straddling gait and to the desperate but at the same time guarded struggles, are all opposed to such conclusions. Were a proper examination instituted, the real nature of the affection would at once be made apparent, beyond the possibility of error.
MODE TO ASCERTAIN THE DISTENTION OF
THE BLADDER.