86 BUEEAU OF A^^'IATAL I^'DUSTKY. 



as an injection, and blankets saturated vrith hot water should be per- 

 sistently applied to the loins. This may be followed by a very thin 

 pulp of the best ground mustard made with tepid water, rubbed in 

 against the direction of the hair, and covered up with paper and a 

 blanket. This raaj'^ be kept on for an hour, or until the skin thickens 

 and the hair stands erect. It ma}^ then be rubbed or sponged off and 

 the blanket reaj^plied. When the action of the bowels has been 

 started it may be kept up by a daily dose of 2 or 3 ounces of 

 Glauber's salts. 



During recovery a course of bitter tonics (nux vomica 1 scruple, 

 ground gentian root 4 drams) should be given. The patient should 

 also be guarded against cold, wet, and any active exertion for some 

 time after all active symptoms have subsided. 



CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 



Causes. — Chronic inflammation of the kidne3^s is more commonly 

 associated with albumen and casts in the urine than the acute form, 

 and in some instances these conditions of the urine ma}" be the only 

 prominent symptoms of the disease. Though it may supervene on 

 blows, injuries, and exposures, it is much more commonly connected 

 with faulty conditions of the sj'stem — as indigestion, hea-ii; disease, lung 

 or liver disease, imperfect blood formation, or assimilation; in short, 

 it is rather the attendant on a constitutional infirmity than on a simple 

 local injury. 



It may be associated with various forms of diseased kidney, as 

 shrinkage (atrophy), increase (hypertrophy), softening, red congestion, 

 white enlargement, etc., so that it forms a group of diseases rather 

 than a disease hy itself. 



Symjotorns. — The symptoms may include stiffness, weakness, and 

 increased sensibility of the loins, and modified secretion of urine 

 (increase or suppression), or the flow may be natural. Usually it con- 

 tains albumen, the amount furnishing a fair criterion of the gravity" of 

 the affection, and microscopic casts, also most abundant in bad cases. 

 Drops}', manifested in swelled legs, is a significant symptom, and if 

 the effusion takes place along the lower line of the body, or in chest 

 or abdomen, the significance is increased. A scurfy, unthrifty skin, 

 lack-luster hair, inability to sustain severe or continued exertion, poor 

 or irregular appetite, loss of fat and flesh, softness of the muscles, and 

 pallor of the eyes and nose are equally suggestive. So are sldn erup- 

 tions of various kinds. Any one or more of these symptoms would 

 warrant an examination of the urine for albumen and casts, the finding 

 of which signifies renal inflammation. 



Treatment of these cases is not always satisfactory, as the cause is 

 liable to be maintained in the disorders of important organs elsewhere. 

 If any such coincident disease of another organ or function can be 



