HEMOGLOBINURIA AND PIROPLASMOSIS 



307 



of infection, and advise him to destroy the animal. In the early stages 

 of the disease and when there are no other animals kenneled with it, 

 the animal can be fed with highly nutritious food and given inhalations 

 of creolin or l^enzoin. 



Hemoglobinuria and Piroplasmosis. 



When there is any decomposition of red corpuscles in the body 

 (hemogiol)inannia) the coloring substance is eliminated through the 

 kidneys, staining the urine and producing hemoglobinuria. In this 

 condition the urine is characterized by a dark red, dirty brownish or 

 brick-red coloration. 



This condition occurs when from some cause the coloring matter 

 of the blood becomes liberated, either from destruction of the blood 

 corpuscles or separation of the coloring matter from the stroma of the 

 corpuscle or a delixiviation of the erythrocytes. If only a small quantity 

 of coloring matter is freed it is taken up by the liver, but if a large 



Fig. 99. — Blood of a clog affected with piroplasma canis, magnified 350 times. (Kastner.) 



quantity is free in the circulation, it is also taken up by the urine. 



The hemoglobin test consists of drying a certain quantity of urine in 

 a small saucer, and with the dry mass we mix a small quantity of finely 

 pulverized chloride of sodium, placing it on a plate. Then add two 

 drops of cold glacial acetic acid. Now slowly heat the cup over an alcohol 

 lamp and allow it to cool. As it does so, you will see a quantity of dark- 

 brown crystals. If these are not easily distinguished by the eye, they 

 are with a magnifying glass. While we cannot distinguish the presence 

 of the coloring matter of the blood in the urine with the aid of the micro- 

 scope, we may detect the presence of blood corpuscles in the fluid. Wo 

 may also find by this means uric casts and epithelium of the kidneys, and 

 small red granulations. These may be considered hiemoglobin. As to 

 the causes of this condition we will mention piroplasma. 



