ACUTE NEPHRITIS. 529 



Many forms of nephritis are overlooked in consequence of their slight 

 character. 



Symptoms. The early symptoms are similar to those of congestion 

 of the kidney, viz., dull colic, excessive sensitiveness over the region of 

 the loins, passage of pink urine, loss of appetite, and fever. At a later 

 stage, in cases of acute nephritis due to cold, the animal stands with the 

 limbs close together and remains stationary, arching the loins and back, 

 which are held stiffly. The animal obstinately refuses to move in con- 

 sequence of the pain produced by so doing. 



The general condition becomes grave, respiration is rapid, the pulse 

 frequent, the artery tense, the muzzle dry, the accessible mucous mem- 

 branes are injected, and appetite is almost entirely lost. 



Urine is frequently passed, but the act causes j^ain, and the quan- 

 tity is small. Absolute anuria is rare, and does not last long. 



The urine is generally sanguinolent, at least at first, but to a very 

 varying extent. It is always albuminous, the quantity of albumen 

 varying enormously, and on microscopic examination, is usually found 

 to contain red and white blood corpuscles, epithelium from the kidney 

 hyaline or epithelial cylinders, and, towards the end, pus corpuscles. 



Gidema or anasarca, though common in mankind, does not occur in a 

 very marked form, except in intense acute nephritis. Epistaxis is also rare. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis requires some care, because unless the 

 urine be examined the symptoms might lead to error. Nevertheless, it 

 is alwaj's possible to distinguish between this condition and haematuria 

 or accidental renal haemorrhage. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is grave, because absolute recovery is 

 rare, and because the condition is very apt to become chronic. 



The degree of anuria and the respiratory difficulty are of great 

 service in confirming the prognosis. As soon as urine is freely passed 

 the prognosis becomes more favourable. 



Treatment. Among the most effective methods of treatment must 

 be included bleeding, which always produces some improvement. Dry 

 friction over the kidneys and flanks, hot moist applications, and the 

 application of a sheep-skin to the loins are also of service. Internally, 

 mucilaginous drinks, diuretic decoctions and milk give the best results. 

 The proportion of albumen rapidly diminishes, dysuria becomes less 

 marked, urine is passed in greater quantities, and in from eight to ten 

 days all the alarming symptoms disappear. Bicarbonate of soda may 

 then be given for a fortnight. 



In very grave cases camphor, bromide of camphor, injections of 

 camphorated oil (1 to 2J drachms internally, or 1 to 1^ drachms in 

 subcutaneous injections) give excellent results in modifying the pain and 

 moderating the inflammation. 



D.c. M M 



