HYDRO-NEPHROSIS. 531 



The urine passed is always turbid, and sometimes blood-stained, but 

 this staining rarely lasts longer than a week. The urine then gradually 

 resumes its normal appearance, is passed in small quantities, and con- 

 tains more or less albumen. The yield of milk markedly and progres- 

 sively diminishes. 



If treatment is resorted to at this stage laxatives and diuretics 

 appear to effect a real improvement. Unfortunately, however, the 

 apparent improvement is but temporary ; the kidneys become hyper- 

 trophied, and the right soon occupies the whole of the sublumbar 

 space, its margin extending as far as the extremity of the transverse 

 processes near the anterior angle of the hollow of the flank. 



This hypertrophy and the extreme sensitiveness can be detected 

 by external palpation. Internal examination confirms the facts so 

 observed as regards both the kidneys. 



The patients eat little and become thin, whatever treatment be 

 adopted. They progressively waste, and die after some months in a 

 state of marasmus, exhausted and intoxicated. 



It is very probable that the digestive disturbances are complicated 

 by respiratory and cardiac trouble, as in man and the dog ; but neither 

 cardiac nor uraemic disease of the kidney has been recorded. 



Diagnosis. When the urine is analysed the diagnosis becomes com- 

 paratively easy. Persistent albuminuria and hypertrophy of the kidneys 

 during the early stages are significant indications. There can be little 

 hesitation except in so far as i^yelo-nephritis and hydro-nephrosis are 

 concerned, but the conditions are distinguished by the character of the 

 urine in the two latter cases, together with the condition of the pelvis 

 of the kidney, and of the ureters. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is grave, and Seuffert believes that re- 

 covery never occurs. This is also true, generally speaking, as regards 

 all forms of chronic nephritis. 



Treatment. As the disease must be regarded as incurable there is 

 really no justification for treatment. Nevertheless, if for special reasons 

 the owner wishes to keep the animals for a certain time, as in the 

 case of a cow near its time of calving, recourse may be had to the 

 internal treatment suggested in acute nephritis, viz., mucilaginous 

 drinks, diuretic infusions, milk, bicarbonate of soda, stimulating 

 applications to the loins, etc. 



HYDRO-NEPHROSIS. 



Hydro-nephrosis, i.e., retention of urine in the pelvis of the kidney 

 and in the collecting and secreting tubules, is a somewhat common 

 malady of the bovine species. It is usually confined to one kidney. 



M M 2 



