Acute Congestion of the Kidneys in Solipeds. 213 



excessive renal irritation from the injudicious use of diuretics, or 

 the accidental ingestion of irritant or acrid diuretic plants or 

 waters, or musty fodders, or the sudden change to the succulent, 

 watery, first vegetation of spring, or of exposure to cold, wet, or 

 damp, in all their forms, or of direct injury to the back or loins 

 by blows, shocks, or violent exertions. 



Treatnie7it . Trasbot and Cadeac strongl}' recommend vene- 

 section, and at the very outset in specially' acute cases the sud- 

 den lessening of the arterial and capillar}' tension, by this potent 

 means, may furnish the opportunit}' for the capillaries of the 

 glomeruli and tubes to regain their normal tone, and thus contri- 

 bute to a speedy abortion of the affection. If resorted to at all it 

 should be made in a full stream from the jugular, so as to secure 

 the fullest and most prompt result with the least possible effusion 

 of blood. 



Much, however, must depend on the attendant conditions. In 

 toxin poisoning following on an infectious fever, the already 

 existing debilit}'' will sufficient!}' forbid a resort to the lancet, and 

 we must seek elimination by the bowels, the skin or even the kid- 

 ne5's. Antiseptics, too, are in order if there appears any ground 

 for suspicion of the action of infecting agents. Some ca.ses will 

 recover prompt!}' under diffusible, stimulant diuretics such as 

 spirits of nitrous etlier, which by stimulating the circulation in 

 other organs and especially the skin, appears to relieve the kidney 

 and solicit normal secretion. But most veterinarians dread the 

 .stimulus and irritation and prefer small doses of refrigerant diure- 

 tics : bicarbonate of soda 4 drs. , saltpeter 2 drs. or the tartrates, 

 citrates or acetates of the alkaline bases. In case of irritation by 

 acrid diuretics, but especially by cantharides, camphor 2 drs., has 

 been found to be particularly soothing, and next to this, bromide 

 of camphor or bromide of potassium i to 2 drs. may be resorted 

 to. Zundel prescribes acidulated camphorated drinks. The free 

 use of mucilaginous drinks, such as boiled flax seed ; and the 

 persistent application of fomentations or wet compresses to the 

 loins are of equal value in soothing irritation. Sinapisms may 

 advantageously follow the local emollients. 



Laxatives act with less promptitude than diuretics, but on the 

 whole constitute a safer treatment, since they secure elimination 

 and derivation without risk of irritation to the kidneys. The 



