DISEASES OF HORSES 199 



During the course of the disease friction to the limbs is useful, 

 and in the advanced paralytic stage the application of electricity 

 along the line of the affected muscles. When the patient can not 

 stand he must have a thick, soft bed, and should be turned from side 

 to side at least every twelve hours. As soon as he can be made to 

 stand he may be helped up and even supported in a sling. 



ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS, OR ACUTE NEPHRITIS. 



Inflammations of the kidneys have been differentiated widely, 

 according as they were acute or chronic, parenchymatous or tubal, 

 suppurative or not, with increased or shrunken kidney, etc. ; but in a 

 work like the present utility will be consulted by classing all under 

 acute or chronic inflammation. 



Causes. The causes of inflammation of the kidneys are ex- 

 tremely varied. Congestion occurs from the altered and irritant 

 products passed through these organs during recovery from inflam- 

 mations of other organs and during fevers. This may last only dur- 

 ing the existence of its cause, or may persist and become aggravated. 

 Heart disease, throwing the blood pressure back on the veins and kid- 

 neys, is another cause. Disease of the ureter or bladder, preventing 

 the escape of urine from the kidney and causing increased fullness 

 and tension in its pelvis and tubes, will determine inflammation. 

 Decomposition of the detained urine in such cases and the production 

 of ammonia and other irritants must also be named. In elimination 

 of bacteria through the kidney, the latter is liable to infection with 

 consequent inflammation. The advance of bacteria upward from 

 the bladder to the kidneys is another cause. The consumption in 

 hay or other fodder of irritant plants, the absorption of cantharidine 

 from a surface blistered by Spanish flies, the reckless administration 

 of diuretics, exposure of the surface to cold and wet, and the inflic- 

 tion of blows or sprains on the loins, may contribute to its produc- 

 tion. Liver disorders which throw on the kidneys the work of 

 excreting irritant products, diseases of the lungs and heart from 

 which clots are carried, to be arrested in the small blood vessels of 

 the kidney, and injuries and paralysis of the spinal cord, are addi- 

 tional causes. 



Symptoms. The symptoms are more or less fever, manifest 

 stiffness of the back and straddling gait with the hind limbs, diffi- 

 culty in lying down and rising, or in walking in a circle, the animal 

 sometimes groaning under the effort, arching of the loins and tuck- 

 ing up of the flank, looking back at the abdomen as if from colicky 

 pain, and tenderness of the loins to pinching, especially just beneath 

 the bony processes 6 inches to one side of the median line. Urine is 

 passed frequently, a small quantity at a time, of a high color, and 

 sometimes mixed with blood or even pus. The legs tend to swell 

 from the foot up, also the dependent parts beneath the belly and 

 chest, and effusions of liquid may occur within the chest or abdomen. 

 In the male animal the alternate drawing up and relaxation of the 

 testicles in the scrotum are suggestive, and in small horses the oiled 

 hand introduced into the rectum may reach the kidney and ascertain 

 its sensitiveness. 



