70 



salts), and liave graduated exercise, beginning witli a short walk and 

 increasing day by da3\ 



The treatment of the mild cases may consist in a laxative, graduated 

 dailj" exercise, and a daily dose of saltpeter (1 ounce). Sudden attacks 

 will sometimes promj)tly subside if taken on the instant and the sub- 

 ject kept still and calmed by a dose of bromide of potassium (4 

 drams) and sweet spirits of niter (1 ounce). The latter has the advan- 

 tage of increasing the secretion of the kidneys. In severe cases, as 

 a rule, it is desirable to begin treatment by a full dose of aloes (4 to 6 

 drams) with the above-named dose of bromide of potassium, and this 

 latter may be continued at intervals of four or six hours, as may be 

 requisite to calm the nervous excitement. Fomentations with warm 

 water over the loins are always useful in calming the excitable condi- 

 tion of the spinal cord, muscles, liver, and kidneys, and also in favor- 

 ing secretion from the two latter. On the second day diuretics ma}" be 

 resorted to, such as saltpeter, one-half ounce, and]3owdered eolchicum, 

 one-half dram, to be repeated twice daily. A laxative may be repeated 

 in three or four days should the bowels seem to demand it, and as the 

 nervous excitement disappears any remaining muscular weakness or 

 paralj'sis may be treated by one-half dram doses of n»ux vomica twice 

 a day and a stimulating liniment (aqua ammonia and sweet-oil in 

 equal proportions) rubbed on the torj)id muscles. 



During the course of the disease friction to the limbs is useful, and 

 in the advanced xDaralytic stage the application of electricity along the 

 line of the affected muscles. When the i^atient can not stand he must 

 have a thick, soft bed, and should be turned from side to side at least 

 everj' twelve hours. As soon as he can be made to stand he may be 

 helloed ux) and even supported in a sling. 



ACUTE INFLAMMATIOX OF THE KIDNEYS — ACUTE NEPHRITIS. 



Inflammations of the kidneys have been differentiated widel}', accord- 

 ing as they were acute or chronic, parenchymatous or tubal, sui^pura- 

 tive or not, with increased or shrunken kidney, etc., but in a work like 

 the present, utility will be consulted by classing all under acute or 

 chronic inflamiiiaUon. 



The causes of inflammation of the kidnej'S are extremely varied. 

 Congestion occurs from the altered and irritant products passed 

 through these organs during recovery from inflammations of other 

 organs and during fevers. This may last only during the existence of 

 its cause, or may jjcrsist and become aggravated. Heart disease, throw- 

 ing tlie blood pressure back on the veins and kidneys, is another cause. 

 Disease of the ureter or bladder, jjreventing the escape of urine from 

 the kidney and causing increased fullness and tension in its ]3elvis and 

 tubes, will determine inflammation. Decomposition of the detained 

 urine in such cases, and the ijroduction of ammonia and other irri- 

 tants, must also be named. The advance of bacteria upward from the 



