68 



in^ secretion from the two latter. On the second day diuretics may be 

 resorted to, such as saltpeter, one-half ounce, and powdered colchicum, 

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

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

 as the nervous excitement disappears any remaining muscular weak- 

 ness or paralysis may be treated by one-half dram doses of nux vomica 

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

 in equal proportions) rubbed on the torpid muscles. 



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

 in the advanced paralytic stage the application of electricity along the 

 line of the affected muscles. When the patient can not stand he must 

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

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

 helped up and even supported in a sling. 



■ ACUTE -INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS — ACUTE NEPHRITIS. 



Inflammations of the kidneys have been differentiated widely, accord- 

 ing as they were acute or chronic, parenchymatous or tubal, suppurative 

 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 

 inflammation. 



The causes of inflammation of the kidneys are extremely varied. Con- 

 gestion 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 persist and become aggravated. Heart disease, throwing the blood 

 pressure back on the veins and kidneys, is another cause. Disease of 

 the ureter or bladder, preventing the escape of urine from the kidney 

 and causing increased fullness and tension in its pelvis and tubes, will 

 determine inflammation. Decomposition of the detained urine in such 

 cases, and the production of ammonia and other irritants, must also be 

 named. The advance of bacteria upward from the bladder to the kid- 

 ney is another cause. The consumption in hay or other fodder of acrid 

 or irritant plants, including fungi, the absorption of cantharidine from 

 a surface blistered by Spanish flies, the reckless administration of diu- 

 retics, the presence of stones in the kidney, exposure of the surface to 

 cold and wet, and the infliction of blows or sprains on the loins, may 

 contribute to its production. Liver disorders which throw on the kid- 

 neys the work of excreting irritant products, diseases of the lungs and 

 heart from which clots are carried, to be arrested in the small blood- 

 vessels of the kidney, 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, difiBculty in lying 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, looki>ng back at the 



