and other organic matter, and then forms a conglomerate stone of nearly
uniform consistency and without stratification.

_Symptoms of stone in the bladder._--The symptoms of stone in the
bladder are more obvious than those of renal calculus. The rough,
mulberry calculi especially lead to irritation of the mucous membrane
and frequent passing of urine in small quantities and often mingled with
mucus or blood or containing minute, gritty particles. At times the flow
is suddenly arrested, though the animal continues to strain and the
bladder is not quite emptied. In the smooth, phosphatic variety the
irritation is much less marked and may even be altogether absent. With
the pultaceous deposit in the bladder there is incontinence of urine,
which dribbles away continually and keeps the hair on the inner side of
the thighs matted with soft magma. In all cases alike the calculus may
be felt by the examination of the bladder with the oiled hand in the
rectum. The pear-shaped outline of the bladder can be felt beneath, and
within it the solid, oval body. It is most easily recognized if the
organ is half full of liquid, as then it is not grasped by the
contracting walls of the bladder, but may be made to move from place to
place in the liquid. If a pultaceous mass is present it has a soft,
doughy feeling, and when pressed an indentation is left.

In the mare the hard stone may be touched by the finger introduced
through the short urethra.

_Treatment of stone in the bladder._--The treatment of stone in the
bladder consists in the removal of the offending body; in the mare this
is easily effected with the lithotomy forceps. These are slightly warmed
and oiled, and carried forward along the floor of the passage of the
vulva for 4 inches, when the orifice of the urethra will be felt exactly
in the median line. Through this the forceps are gradually pushed with
gentle, oscillating movement until they enter the bladder and strike
against the hard surface of the stone. The stone is now grasped between
the blades, care being taken to include no loose fold of the mucous
membrane, and it is gradually withdrawn with the same careful,
oscillating motions as before. Facility and safety in seizing the stone
will be greatly favored by having the bladder half full of liquid, and
if necessary one oiled hand may be introduced into the rectum or vagina
to assist. The resulting irritation may be treated by an injection of
laudanum, 1 ounce in a p