71 



bladder to the kidneys is anotlier cause. The consumption in hay or 

 other fodder of acrid or irritant plants, including- fungi, the absorj)tion 

 of cantharidine from a surface blistered by Spanish flies, the reckless 

 administration of diuretics, the presence of stones in the kidnej^ 

 exposure of the surface to cold and "svet, and the infliction of blows or 

 sprains on the loins, may contribute to its production. Liver disor- 

 ders which throw on the kidneys the work of excreting irritant prod- 

 ucts, diseases of the lungs and heart from which clots are carried, to 

 be arrested in the small blood-vessels of the kidnej', and injuries and 

 paralysis of the spinal cord, are additional causes. 



The symptoms are more or less fever, manifest stiffness of the back 

 and straddling gait with the hind limbs, difiiculty in Ij'ing down and 

 rising, or in walking in a circle, the animal sometimes groaning under 

 the effort, arching of the loins and tucking up of the flank, looking 

 back at the abdomen as if from colicky i^ain, and tenderness of the 

 loins to pinching, especially just beneath the bony j)rocesses G inches 

 to one side of the median line. Urine is passed frequently, a small 

 quantity at a time, of a high color, and sometimes mixed with blood 

 or even x)us. Under the microscope it shows the microscopic casts 

 referred to under general symptoms. If treated by acetic acid, boil- 

 ing, and subsequent addition of strong nitric acid, the resulting and 

 persistent precixjitate indicates the amount of albumen. The legs tend 

 to swell from the foot up, also the dependent iDarts beneath the belly 

 and chest, and effusions of liquid ma}^ occur within the chest or abdo- 

 men. In the male animal the alternate drawing up and relaxation of 

 the testicles in the scrotum are suggestive, and in small horses the 

 oiled hand introduced into the rectum may reach the kidney and 

 ascertain its sensitiveness. 



Treatment demands, first, the removal of any recognized cause. 

 Then, if the suffering and fever are high, 2 to 4 quarts of blood may 

 be abstracted from the jugular vein; in weak subjects or unless in 

 high fever this should be omitted. Next relieve the kidneys as far 

 as i^ossible by throwing their work on the bowels and skin. A pint 

 of castor oil is less likely than either aloes or salts to act on the kid- 

 neys. To affect the skin a warm stall and heavy clothing may be 

 sui)plemented by dram doses of Dover's powder. Boiled flaxseed 

 may be added to the drinking water, and also thrown into the rectum 

 as an injection, and blankets saturated with hot water should be per- 

 sistently applied to the loins. This may be followed by a very thin 

 X:)ulp of the best ground mustard made with tepid Avater, rubbed in 

 against the direction of the hair, and covered up with paper and a 

 blanket. This may be kept on for an hour, or until the skin thickens 

 and the hair stands erect. It maj then be rubbed or sponged off and 

 the blanket reaisplied. When the action of the bowels has been 

 started it may be kept up by a daily dose of 2 or 3 ounces of Glauber 

 salts. 



