SUPPRESSION OF URINE.

In an incontinence of urine, from whatever cause, a piece ofsponge ought to be worn, or a bladder applied in such a manneras to prevent the urine from galling and excoriating the parte.*

Suppression of Urine.

It has already been observed, that a suppression of urine mayproceed from various causes ; as an inflammation of the kidneys,or bladder ; small stones or gravel lodging in the urinary pass-ages, hard faces lying in the rectum, pregnancy, a spasm or con-traction of the neck of the bladder, clotted blood in the bladderitself, a swelling of the hemorrhoidal veins, &c.

Some of these cases require the catheter, both to remove the ob-structing matter, and to draw off the urine ; but as this instrumentcan only be managed with safety by persons skilled in surgery, weshall say nothing further of its use. A bougée may be used byany cautious hand, and will often succeed better than the catheter.

We would chiefly recommend, in all obstructions of urine, fo-mentations and évacuants. Bleeding, as far as the patient'sstrength will permit, is necessary, especially where there are symp-toms of topical inflammation. Bleeding in this case not onlyabates the fever, by lessening the force of the circulation, but, byrelaxing the solids, it takes off the spasm or stricture upon the ves-sels, which occasioned the obstruction.

After bleeding, fomentations must be used. These may eitherconsist of warm water aJone, or of decoctions of mild vegetables ;as mallows, camomile flowers, &c. Cloths dipped in these mayeither be applied to the part affected, or a large bladder filled withthe decoction may be kept continually upon it. Some put theherbs themselves into a flannel bag, and apply them to the part,which is far from being a bad method. These continue longerwarm than cloths dipped in the decoction, and at the same timekeep the part equally moist.

In all obstructions of urine the body ought to be kept open.This is not, however, to be attempted by strong purgatives, but byemollient clysters, or gentle infusions of senna and manna. Clys-ters in this case not only open the body, but answer the purposeof an internal fomentation, and greatly assist in removing thespasms of the bladder and parts adjacent.

The food must be light, and taken in small quantities. Thedrink may be weak broth, or decoctions and infusions of mucilag-inous vegetables, as marsh-mallow roots, lime-tree buds, &c. Ateaspoonful of the sweet spirits of nitre, or a drachm of Castile

with opium to be taken at night ; an ulceration of about the size of a half-crown to bekept open opposite each kidney ; and the bowels to be kept open by aloes and soap.

At first Dr. Rollo was in the habit of using the sulphuret of potash ; for which, how-ever, he was induced to substitute the hepatized ammonia, under the supposition thatthe alkali of the former had an improper effect on the kidneys : e. g.

Take Sulphuret of Potash, 10 grs.Mint Water, 1J oz.

Syrup of Ginger, 1 drm.

Make a draught to be taken three timesa-day. Ed.* A bottle made of the India rubber, and properly applied, answers this purpose best

Take Sulphuret of Potash, 10 grs.

Confection of Roses, q. e.To be made into a bolus, to be takenthree times a-day.or