232 INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 



is nearly or quite suppressed. The pulse is quick and hard ; full 

 in the early stage ol' the disease, but rapidly becoming small, yet 

 not losing its character of hardness. These symptoms clearly 

 indicate an affection of the urinary organs ; but they do not dis- 

 tinguish inflammation of the kidney from that of the bladder 

 In order to effect this, the hand must be introduced into the rec- 

 tum. If the bladder is felt full and hard under the rectum, there 

 is inflammation of the neck of it ; if it is empty, yet on the por- 

 tion of the intestines immediately over it there is more than 

 natural heat and tenderness, there is inflammation of the body 

 of the bladder ; and if the bladder is empty, and there is no in- 

 creased heat or tenderness, there is inflammation of the kidney. 



Too powerful or too often repeated diuretics induce inflamma- 

 tion of the kidney, or a degree of irritation and weakness of that 

 organ that disposes to inflammation from causes that would 

 otherwise have no injurious eflect. If a horse is sprained in the 

 loins by being urged on, far or fast, by a heavy rider, or com- 

 pelled to take too wide a leap, or by being suddenly pulled up 

 on his haunches, the inflammation of the muscles of the loins is 

 often speedily transferred to the kidneys, with which they lie in 

 contact. Exposure to cold is another frequent origin of this 

 malady, especially if the horse is drenched with rain, or the wet 

 drips upon his loins ; and, more particularly, if he was previously 

 disposed to inflammation, or these organs had been previously 

 weakened. 



The treatment will only vary from that of inflammation of 

 other parts by a consideration of the peculiarity of the organ 

 affected. Bleeding must be promptly resorted to, and carried to 

 its full extent. An active purge should next be administered ; 

 and a counter-inflammation excited as nearly as possible to the 

 seat of disease. For this purpose the loins should be fomented 

 with hot water, or covered with a mustard-poultice — the horse 

 should be warmly clothed ; but no cantharides or turpentine 

 should be used, and, most of all, no diuretic be given internally. 

 When the groom finds this difficulty or suppression of staling, he 

 immediately has recourse to a diuretic ball to force on the urine ; 

 and by thus needlessly irritating a part already too much excited, 

 he adds fuel to fire, and frequently destroys the horse. The ac- 

 tion of the purgative having begun a little to cease, white helle- 

 bore may be administered in small doses, with or without emetic 

 tartar. The patient should be warmly clothed ; his legs wel] 

 bandanged ; and plenty of water offered to him. The food 

 should be carefully examined, and anything that could have 

 excited or that may prolong the irritation carefully removed.^ 



* Note by Mr. Spooner — This disease is readily distinguished from 



