Acute Nephritis. Acute Bright' s Disease. 227 



Purgatives must be restricted to such as have no tendency to 

 act on or irritate the kidneys. Castor oil, or sweet oil for the 

 larger animals, or for the dog senna or jalap, may be given every 

 morning to secure free movement. 



As diaphoretics, ipecacuan, Dover's powder, tartar emetic, and 

 even pilocarpin may be used. The last named agent is especially 

 useful when dropsy .sets in, or ursemic stupor or coma threatens 

 (horse 3 grs., ox 7 grs., dog V to \ gr. according to size). If 

 the heart shows weakness it must be sustained by digitalis, 

 strophanthus, caffein or nitroglycerine, and the pilocarpin with- 

 held. 



In a sufficiently strong subject the stupor or coma may be met 

 by the abstraction of blood, which benefits by the dilution of that 

 which is left. 



Eclampsia may be further met by the inhalation of ether or 

 chloroform, or the rectal injection of chloral or bromide solution. 



As the inflammation abates, if the action of the kidney is still 

 insufficient in spite of the free drinking of pure water, alkaline 

 diuretics may be given in small doses (tartrate, acetate or citrate 

 of pota.sh, bicarbonate of soda, saltpeter). 



In excessive dropsy avoid sloughing by lancing the most tensely 

 swollen parts to allow drainage, and keep the parts disinfected 

 with carbolic or other antiseptic lotion. For ascites or hydro- 

 thorax, aspirate, and appl}- a compressory bandage. 



During convalescence a cour.se of bitters (cinchona, salicin, 

 gentian, nux vomica) and iron (phospho-tartar, iodide or phos- 

 phate) will often be called for. Anaemia may be met by do.ses of 

 peroxide of h3'drogen or the inhalation of oxygen. 



In the advanced stages benefit may accrue from the use of 

 small doses of cubebs, copiaba, oil of turpentine or buchu, which 

 have a tonic action on the renal mucosa. 



