PAKT VIII. 



CHAPTER 55. 

 DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER. 



785. Use and action of the Kidneys. 786. Inflammation of the Kidneys, 

 or Nephritis. 787. Symptoms. 788. Treatment. 789. Irritation of the 

 Bladder, and its causes. 790. Symptoms. 791. Treatment. / '92. Inflam- 

 mation of the bladder, or Cystitis. 793. Symptoms. 794. Treatment. 

 795. Inflammation of the Neck of the Bladder. 796. Retention of the 

 Urine. 797. Symptoms. 798. Treatment. 799. After-treatment. 800. 

 Bloody Urine. 801. Diuresis, or Excessive Staling. 802. Symptoms. 

 803. Causes. 804. Treatment. 



785. UJse and action of the Kidneys. 



BY the action of the kidneys, the superfluous fluid, which contains in 

 solution various saline and nitrogenous substances, is removed from the 

 system. 



The quantity of urine secreted by the kidneys is very variable, even 

 in health; being affected by the quantity of fluid imbibed, by the suc- 

 culence or otherwise of the food, and by the activity of the skin and the 

 amount of perspiration. In some diseases, as for instance in fever, the 

 secretion is very scanty in quantity, acrid in quality, and high coloured ; 

 whilst in some other maladies, as in diuresis, it is excessive, and very 

 clear and almost colourless. 



The kidneys may be excited to increased action by various saline, ether- 

 ous, and resinous substances. Such agents are termed Diuretics. Cun- 

 tharides has also a similar effect. 



786. Inflammation of the Kidneys, or Nephritis. 



Inflammation of the substance of the Kidneys, otherwise called Ne- 

 phritis, is fortunately rather rare. Its causes will generally be found in 

 prolonged or severe work; or in exposure to wet and cold, producing 

 derangement of the secretions of the skin ; or in over-violent or too fre- 

 quent doses of diuretic medicine ; or in mow-burnt hay, kiln-dried oats, or 

 other irritating food. It may also be brought on by sprain of the 



