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OF A SUPPRESSION OF URINE.

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mixed with an equal quantity of red wine, andsharpened as above.

There is a disease incident to labouring 1 people in thedecline of life, called an Incontinency of Urine. Butthis is very different from a diabetes, as the water passesoff involuntary by drops, and does not exceed theusual quantity. This disease is rather troublesome thandangerous. It is owing to a relaxation of the spincterof the bladder, and is often the effect of a palsy. Some-times it proceeds from hurts, or injuries occasioned byblows, bruises, preternatural labours, &c. Sometimesit is the effect of a fever. It may likewisebe occasionedby a long use of strong diuretics, or of stimulatingmedicines injected into the bladder.

This disease may be mitigated by the use of astrin-gent and corroborating medicines, such as have beenmentioned above; but we do not remember ever tohave seen it cured.

In an incontinency of urine, from whatever cause, apiece of sponge ought to be worn, or a bladder appliedin such a manner, as to prevent the urine from gallingand excoriating the parts.

OF A SUPPRESSION OF URINE.

I

It has already been observed that a suppression ofurine may proceed from various causes, as an inflam-mation of the kidneys, or bladder; small stones or gra-vel lodging in the urinary passages, hard feces lying inthe rectum, pregnancy, a spasm or contraction of theneck of the bladder, clotted blood in the bladder it-self, a swelling of the hemorrhoidal veins, &c.

Some of these cases require the catheter, both to re-move the obstructing matter, and to draw off the urine;but as this instrument can only be managed with safetyby persons skilled in surgery, we shall say nothing fur-ther of its use. A bougee may be used by any cautioushand, and will often succeed better than the catheter.

We would chiefly recommend in all obstructions ofurine, fomentations and evacuants. Bleeding, as far as