236 Veterinary Mediciyie. 



Disease of the valves of the right heart or dilatation with in- 

 sufficiency of the auricLilo-ventricular valves is a potent cause of 

 nephritis, the reflux of blood into the veins and the increased 

 venous tension, speedily producing passive congestion and a slow 

 type of inflammation in the kidney. This factor is especially 

 liable to operate in dogs, which are particularly obnoxious to 

 rheumatism and valvular ulceration, and are very subject to 

 nervous cardiac disorders ; in horses that have contracted heaves ; 

 and in beef breeds of cattle which suffer from fatty degeneration 

 of the heart with dilatation. 



The influence of calculi must not be overlooked, whether they 

 are lodged in the pelvis, the chalices, or the uriniferous tubules. 

 Their tendency is to induce local irritation and exudation, with 

 fibroid degeneration and thickening of the walls of the tubules or 

 pelvis and of the adjacent tissue. 



When to one or more of the above conditions there are added 

 overfeeding or what is worse a low condition from starvation or 

 unwholesome food (permeated by bacteria or cryptogams or con- 

 taining vegetable acids), and when to crown all there are fre- 

 quent exposures to cold or wet, we have a vicious combination 

 especially conducive to kidney trouble. 



Habitual retention of urine in mares in harness, in house dogs, 

 or in horses in railway cars, and violent exertion, or sprains of the 

 back are among the remaining accessory causes. 



Symptoms. These are often slight or obscure, so that not only 

 owners and attendants but even veterinarians are liable to over- 

 look them. lyoss of flesh, flabbiness of the muscles and a lack of 

 spirit and energy are among the first symptoms. The horse -.ap- 

 pears stiff, especially in his loins and hind limbs, and fails to ad- 

 vance the hind feet as far under the belly as formerly, and 

 straddles more. When put to work he is early fatigued and ap- 

 pears unfit for sustained exertion. His movements are slow and 

 if urged to a trot he may even groan with every step and quickly 

 settles back to his sluggish pace. If turned sharply round on 

 himself he does so with difficulty and often groans. When he is 

 mounted or when the loins are pinched he may droop to excess. 

 If you come on him lying down, and urge him to rise he may 

 rise on his fore limbs and sit on his haunches until urged before 

 he makes any attempt to raise himself on his hind. The dog may 



