288 EVIL EFFECTS OF URINE BALLS. [BOOK II. 



the kidneys (or suppressed) ; but, when the urine 

 has been sent into the bladder, this latter has not 

 the power to expel its contents. How this hap- 

 pens, see above, at page 158, &c. 



But the most prolific source of diseased affec- 

 tions of the kidneys, and the least perceptible of 

 any, are ill-cured pains of the intestines and of the 

 liver. These leave behind them certain morbid 

 effects that are not immediately felt nor easily dis- 

 coverable, but nevertheless work their ruin im- 

 perceptibly ; for, as previously observed, when the 

 kidneys lose their function of secreting urine, they 

 enlarge, and after death scarcely bear the pressure 

 of a finger point without breaking. 



Cure for inflammation of the kidneys. — Seeing 

 that strong diuretics are reckoned with truth, among 

 the causes of diseased kidneys, no man in his senses 

 would think of administering any such, after he has 

 ascertained that this organ is disordered in any way 

 whatever. Such, however, is too often the practice 

 of unskilful persons, who, after noticing the defec- 

 tive quantity of urine produced, think of restoring 

 the animal's capacity for producing more by medi- 

 cines that stimulate the parts, which already labour 

 under a disease of too much stimulation. " As in 

 all other cases of inflammation or fever [how often 

 have we not repeated the same words !] when the 

 pulse is high, let the animal be bled according to 

 the amount of the attack." See general obser- 

 vations at the head of this chapter, pages 171 to 

 181. Give warm clysters frequently as there pre- 



