DISEASES OF THE URINARY SYSTEM. 265 



Symptoms of Nephritis. — When nephritis supervenes 

 on some acutefever, the urine may be noticed to become 

 more scanty and highly coloured, and may contain albumen, 

 and renal epithelial casts. Blood, and fibrinous or san- 

 guineous casts may also be present. 



The internal temperature is raised still higher, and the 

 skin becomes harsh and dry. 



There is usually little or no pain on pressure of the loins 

 in this form. 



In nephritis due to other causes, the symptoms are some- 

 what diflferent. There is considerable fever with colicky 

 pains, the attack resembling colic, attended by fever. The 

 pulse is quickened, and the artery is full, hard, and firm. 

 The respirations are short and accelerated, the bowels are 

 constipated, and thirst is increased. In some instances 

 there is stiffness, tenderness in the loins, and arching of 

 the back, but these symptoms are not invariably present. 



The most characteristic features of nephritis are the scanty 

 elimination or total suppression of urine and the desire to 

 micturate frequently. The animal strains violently, but 

 may be unable to pass more than a few drops of urine. 

 This is highly-coloured, and if examined, albumen, blood, 

 and renal casts may generally be detected in it. 



Where, however, no urine is passed, the continued fever, 

 abdominal pain, and frequent, though ineffectual, straining 

 to micturate, are indicative of inflammation of the kidneys. 

 But cases of nephritis are met with sometimes, in which the 

 only symptoms are suppression of the urine (ischuria), with 

 febrile manifestations, and of this several instances have 

 come under our notice. 



In other cases there are signs of pain manifested by lying 

 down and rolling about, while at other times the seat of 

 pain is pointed at by the animal turning round and 

 endeavourinoj to bite at or scratch the loins. 



