CHAPTER VIII. 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS, AND DIGESTIVE CAVITY. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 



Symptoms. — A constant desire to void urine, although 

 only passed in small quantities, highly colored, and some- 

 times tinged with blood, though more generally quite 

 natural. There is usually a peculiar stiffness in the hind 

 extremities, especially when the horse is made to describe 

 a circle. Pressure on the loins elicit symptoms of pain, 

 and the pulse and respirations denote febrile symptoms. 



The Treatment will only vary from that of inflamma- 

 tion of other parts by a consideration of the peculiarity 

 of the organ affected. Bleeding may be promptly re- 

 sorted to. An active purge should next be administered, 

 and a counter-inflammation excited as nearly as possible 

 to the seat of disease. For this purpose, the loins should 

 be fomented with hot water, or covered with a mustard- 

 poultice — the horse should be warmly clothed ; no di- 

 uretic should be given internally. One of the best ap- 

 plications to the loins is a fresh sheep skin, the skin side 

 inwards. This will very soon cause and keep up a con- 

 siderable perspiration, which may be conSnued by means 

 of a fresh skin in the course of twelve hours. With re- 

 gard to internal medicines, one of the best sedatives is 

 the white hellebore, in doses of a scruple twice a day. 

 The bowels should be opened by means of an aperient 



