BLADDER

(urinary), sac of muscular and membranous structure, serving as a receptacle for urine, which it receives from the kidneys by the ureters and expels from the body through the urethra; when empty it lies entirely within the human pelvis, when distended it rises up into the abdomen. The b. is attached to the pelvis by ligaments at its neck, which is where the urethra commences, at the lowest part of the organ, otherwise it is freely movable, being supported by the neighboring structures, and above, behind, and at the sides, by the peritoneum. Its normal capacity, is about one pint, but this is o enormously exceeded under abnormal conditions. Cystitis, or inflammation of the b., is due to bacterial infection, usually by way of the urethra, and is manifested by painful and frequent micturition, It is treated by fomentations, urinary antiro peace and sedatives, and, if nece ary, irrigation of the b. Under certain conditions caleult or stones are formed in the b., and these are removed by operation. The usual operation is that of litholopazy, in which the stone is crushed by an instrument pa ed by the urethra and the fragments re- ‘moved b a cartheter. ‘Tho old operation of lithotomy, or ‘cuttin for stone,’ is not now generally advis, but is still nece ary under certain extreme conditions. Enlargement of the prostate, which may be considered. here because of its involvement of the b., is usually first shown by inability of the patient to empty the b. completely, and is generally treated by the operation of opening into the b. by @ supra-pubic incision and _ scooping out the enlargement with the finger, village, Maryland, U.S.A.; British defeated Americans, 1814. Famous as dueling ground in early 19th century. Pop. c. 500.