THE URINARY SYSTEM 413 



a staring coat, hurried panting breathing, a quick, small pulse, and 

 a high temperature of from 105° to 106 . If these cases are not 

 early relieved, they may terminate in uvamic poisoning (par. 319), or 

 in the formation of abscesses in one or both kidneys. 



715. When only one kidney is affected, as a rule the other has 

 to do the work of both, and becomes hypertrophied, or enlarged. 

 During the time the sound kidney is comporting itself to the double 

 duty all the symptoms of uraemic poisoning are manifested. After 

 a time the abscess in the affected kidney may become encysted, and 

 then the animal appears to get well, doing its work with only one 

 kidney. Again, the abscess may burst, and its contents pass along 

 in the urine to the bladder ; there the solid portions of the pus or 

 matter may coagulate, and passing into the urethra, block up the 

 passage, so that the case may end in rupture of the bladder, from 

 the continual strain in attempting to void the urine. 



716. The causes of inflammation of the kidneys are various. 

 Some writers hold that the too frequent administration of fancy 

 condition balls and powders, containing potash, balsams, turpentines, 

 resins, etc., is a cause ; but if this were so the complaint would be 

 of more frequent occurrence than it is. Bad food, of a mouldy and 

 heated nature, and too severe blisters containing cantharides and 

 turpentine may in some cases be blamed. My own opinion is that 

 sudden chills and exposure to inclement weather — for instance, an 

 animal being caught by a flood and compelled to stand for hours 

 nearly up to the belly in water, or falling into and remaining for 

 some time in a quick mire or deep gutter, where the water rises up 

 over the back and loins — are more often the cause. Cases arising 

 from these latter causes generally prove fatal in from fifteen to 

 twenty-four hours. 



717. Treatment. — As the complaint is not readily diagnosed, great 

 care should be taken not to administer quack medicines of a tur- 

 pentine or balsamic character ; for, although they may answer in 

 spasmodic colic, they are extremely dangerous in cases of kidney 

 affections. From 15 to 25 ounces of linseed oil, with 2 to 4 ounces 



