368 AZOTURIA. 



periods of remission and accession. When once the fnnctionfi 

 of the cord are in this way interfered with, there is small 

 prospect of ultimate recover}', or even of restored usefulness. 



c;hapter yiii. 



AZOTUKIA — NITROGENOUS URINE. 



Definition. — Azoturia is the term cqyjdied to a complex morbid 

 condition or assemblage of symptoms intimately associated, 

 with or dependent on disturbed assimilation, the most charac- 

 teristic features of tvhich are certain musculo-nervous j^he- 

 nomena, particidarly clonic or tonic spasm of the great muscles^ 

 of the posterior piart of the trunk and limbs, and the discharge 

 of high-coloured ■nitrogenous urine. 



Pathology, a. Nature and History. — It is no less curious 

 than interesting to observe how, in the naming of systemic 

 diseases, we cling tenaciously to those chief and characteristic 

 local lesions in which the general or constitutional state has 

 terminated, and upon these bestow consideration and attention, 

 to the exclusion of the larger subject of the disposition or 

 condition to which the local changes may be owing. In this way 

 our ideas, not merely of the nature of these diseases, but also of 

 the principles which ought to regulate our actions in their pre- 

 vention and treatment, have been correspondingly dwarfed and 

 localized. Acting in this manner we examine and hang over 

 the nodules and caseations met with as concomitants or 

 sequels of tuberculosis, the effusions and changes of pulmonary 

 tissue in the specific lung-fevers of both horses and cattle, and 

 on the urinary secretion or state of the kidneys in both those 

 conditions recognised by the names of diabetes and azoturia. 

 As a natural result of such doings, we often miss teachings 

 which a more extensive observation of phenomena would 

 place us in the way of receiving ; and by attending to which 

 our ideas of many diseases would be truer and more compre- 

 hensive, because founded upon a more extensive observation of 

 facts and conditions ; and our grasp of the same would be firmer, 

 seeing we should have more material and that better impressed 

 upon our minds. 



