URIC ACID, LITHIC ACID. An acid occurring in large quantity, combined with ammonia, in the urine of birds and reptiles, and to a small extent only in the urine of carnivorous quadrupeds. In the pure state it is a very insoluble white powder; it dissolves in nitric acid, and when evaporated to dryness and mixed with a little ammonia, gives a rich red color. . URINARY ORGANS, DISEASES OF. The diseases of the urinary organs are, in the horse, stone in the bladder, retention of urine or stran gury, and profuse staling or diabetes. For stone in the bladder, a rare occurrence, a surgeon should be employed. The symptoms of the first are, stretching out, in an ineffectual attempt to urinate, with exhibition of pain. Sometimes the water will flow readily, .and at other times scantily, or not at all. The ox tribe are also sometimes affected thus. In the latter case, it is better at once to fatten and kill. Strangury is occasioned from various causes, as paralysis of the bladder, meningitis, staggers, colic, and other acute diseases, and also from the effects of irritating drugs. If the difficulty is occa,sioned by palsy, the water may be drawn off by means of a catheter, but should be treated by a veterin ary surgeon, the best means being by hypodermic injections under the skin. If it is due to general
weakness of the bladder, two drachms of pow dered camphor and one-half ounce of saltpetre may be made into a ball and given. If this do not give relief, try twenty grains of powdered cantharides and one drachm of powdered digi talis made into a ball with soap. For profuse staling, give the following, three times a day, in water : twenty grains of iodine, one drachm iodide of potassium, and four drachms carbonate of soda. For black water, a disease of the general system, but not common, to relieve the bowels, from four to six drachms of powdered aloes and one to two ounces of cream of tartar should be given in something less than a quart of water. If it do not act, repeat the dose, in any case assisting the operation by an injection of a quart of tepid soap suds to which is added three ounces spirits of turpentine. As the severe symptoms are relieved, assist the horse to rise, and nse a tonic, say two drachms sulphate of iron and one drachm powdered nux vomica, given as a ball. with linseed meal and swum Rest, light nourishing food and good ventila tion are necessary in treating this disease.