DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



The kidney is a very susceptible organ. It is easily 

 affected by medicine, a fact of great importance to prac- 

 titioners. Sometimes medicines given as purges, instead 

 of acting on the bowels, apparently expend their whole 

 force on the kidneys, giving the urine, which is copious, 

 a dark color. This fact probably accounts for mercury 

 being so slow in producing salivation. 



A case of single kidney, but of double size, is recorded. 



The urine may contain excess of water, urea, coloring 

 matter, and inorganic constituents ; also a deficiency of 

 water and inorganic constituents. There may be altera- 

 tion of other organic compounds, the acid constituents 

 and extractive matters. It may contain albumen, bile 

 compounds, sugar, blood, pus, mucus, calculi, &c. It is 

 naturally alkaline in herb-eating and acid in flesh-eating 

 animals. It differs in composition in various animals, but 

 some of its constituents are identical. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS (NEPHRITIS), 



Is rare. It is usually caused by medicinal irritation — 

 turpentine, the resins, cantharides (internal or blister), 

 croton oil, &c. ; stimulating food, cold, water dripping on 

 the back and loins, injuries, &c. Kobertson describes two 

 forms. He also describes kidney congestion. 



Symptoms. — There are many, but the surest are scanty 

 secretion or total suppression of urine ; frequent attempts 

 to stale, passing perhaps but a few drops of highly col- 

 ored, unhealthy urine. In the stallion retraction (draw- 

 ing back) of the testicle on the affected side may be pres- 



