DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER. 87 



liable to be maintained in the disorders of important organs else- 

 where. If any such coincident disease of another organ or function 

 can be detected, that should be treated first or simultaneously with 

 this affection of the kidneys. In all cases the building up of the 

 general health is important. Hence a course of tonics may be given 

 (phosphate of iron 2 drams, nux vomica 20 grains, powdered gentian 

 root 4 drams, daily) or 60 drops of sulphuric acid or nitromuriatic 

 acid may be given daily in the drinking water. If there is any ele- 

 vated temperature of the body and tenderness of the loins, fomenta- 

 tions may be applied, followed by a mustard pulp, as for acute 

 inflammation, and even in the absence of these indications the mus- 

 tard may be resorted to with advantage at intervals of a few days. 

 In suppression of urine, fomentations with warm water or with infu- 

 sion of digitalis leaves is a safer resort than diuretics, and cupping 

 over the loins may also benefit. To apply a cup, shave the skin and 

 oil it; then take a narrow-mouthed glass, rarify the air within it by 

 introducing a taper in full flame for a second, withdraw the taper 

 and instantly apply the mouth of the glass to the skin and hold it 

 closely applied till the cooling tends to form a vacuum in the glass 

 and to draw up the skin, like a sucker. 



As in the acute inflammation, every attention must be given to 

 secure warm clothing, a warm stall, and pure air. 



TUMORS OF THE KIDNEYS. 



Tumors, whether malignant or simple, would give rise to symptoms 

 resembling some form of inflammation, and are not likely to be recog- 

 nized during life. 



PARASITES. 



To parasites of the kidney belong the eckinococcus, the larval, or 

 bladder worm, stage of the small echinococcus tapeworm of the dog; 

 also the Cysticercus fistularis, another bladder worm of an unknown 

 tapeworm; in these there is the possibility of the passage with the 

 urine of a detached head of the bladder worm or of some of its micro- 

 scopic hooklets, which might be found in the sediment of the urine 

 and thus establish a diagnosis. Dioctophyme renale, the largest of 

 roundworms, has been found in the kidney of the horse. Its presence 

 can only be certified by the passage of its microscopic eggs or of the 

 entire worm. Immature stages of roundworms, either Strongylus 

 equinus or a related species, may be found in the renal artery or in 

 the kidney itself. 



SPASM OF THE NECK OF THE BLADDER. 



This affection consists in spasmodic closure of the outlet from the 

 bladder by tonic contraction of the circular muscular fibers. It may 

 be accompanied by a painful contraction of the muscles on the body 



