t02 /inflammation of the kidneys. 



The Liver is also frequently affected with tumours on its fine surface, as 

 ^\^l\ as with ulcers or schirrus, which are all the effects of an evil state of the 

 blood, of over action, and probably of accidents from external injuries, com- 

 municated by the kidneys. 



We can easily conceive that the thin parts of this large viscus may be dis- 

 eased, and even inflamed, without causing derangement of the biliary function, 

 further than increasing its action, and by thinning the blood over much, it 

 obtains more bile. The animal then waxeth thin, though devouring his food 

 as usual for a while; and we may ascertain when this evil has begun by the 

 state of his dung, principally as to colour, which will then be of a much deep- 

 er hue. As pale dung is a symptom of suppressed bile, so is deep colour an 

 indication of a superabundance, that is caused by over action, which is itself 

 occasioned by the heat of the liver, from some cause or other. One of these 

 may be "inflammation of the kidneys," or it may be occasioned by ulcer, and 

 we set about ascertaining which, according to the instructions set down at 

 page 100: and in the latter case give the alterative balls, the same as for in- 

 flamed liver, at page 100, 101 according to the circumstances there discriminat- 

 ed ; but it never happens that a scouring is of a dark colour, and No. 2 would in 

 this case seldom be required, a strong purgative never, though the boweJ", 

 should be kept moderately open. When there is reason to apprehend that 

 the adhesion of the ulcer to the intestines has taken place, as described at page 

 50, the animal should not be worked hard, though moderate exercise is de- 

 sirable, and so is change of physic, as in all cases that require alteratives. 

 The following balls may take place of the preceding, particularly when the 

 coat is staring. 



Alterative Balls. 



Emetic tartar, 3 drachms, 

 Aloes, 9 drachms, 

 Hard soap, 1 ounce, 

 Ginger, 1 scruple. 



Mix, and divide into three balls, one to be given on successive nights, unless 

 two have operated. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 



This being one of those diseases which bears resemblance to another, and 

 as the mistaking and treating the one for the other generally proves fatal, re- 

 ference should be had to what is said under the head " Inflammation of the neck 

 of the bladder." Such a mistake of the disorder in the present instance is very 

 likely to be made by the common observer, inasmuch as the kidneys, as soon 

 as they become inflamed, secrete much more urine than in a state of health, 

 and any one noticing this, and subsequently its defalcation, as the disease goes 

 on, may easily imagine the bladder itself is aflfccted at the neck. It is worthy 

 wf remark, that mares are more liable to allections of the kidneys than horses, 

 particularly brood mares: while, on the contrary, they are less liable than the 

 male to inflammation of the neck of the bladder, in consequence of its short- 

 ness, its straightness, too, aflfords easy proof of the real seat of the disorder, — 

 '.hat essential prelude to effecting a cure. See j>agc 53- 



Causes. — I'oo constant use of the diuretic powders anil balls, commonly 

 brings on inflammation of the kidneys, by the irritati<)n and over-action of the 

 glands which are thereby occasioned. When one kidney only is aflectcd 



