70 



enlargement, etc., so that it forms a group of diseases rather than a 

 disease by itself. 



The symptoms may include stiffness, weakness, and increased sensi- 

 bility of the loins, and modified secretion of urine (increase or sup- 

 pression), or the flow may be natural. Usually it contains albumen, 

 the amount furnishing a fair criterion of the gravity of the affection, 

 and microscopic casts, also most abundant in bad cases. Dropsy, 

 manifested in swelled legs, is a significant symptom, and if the effusion 

 takes place along the lower line of the bodj, or in chest or abdomen, 

 the significance is increased. A scurfy, unthrifty skin, lack-luster hair, 

 inability to sustain severe or continued exertion, poor or irregular ap- 

 petite, loss of fat and flesh, softness of the muscles, and pallor of the 

 eyes and nose are equally suggestive. So are skin eruptions of various 

 kinds. Any one or more of these symptoms would warrant an examina- 

 tion of the urine for albumen and casts, the finding of which signifies 

 renal inflammation. 



Treatment of these cases is not alwavs satisfactorv, as the cause is 

 liable to be maintained in the disorders of important organs elsewhere. 

 If any such coincident disease of another organ or function can be de- 

 tected, 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 GO drops of sulphuric acid or nitro-muriatic acid may be 

 given daily in the drinking water. If there is any elevated temperature 

 of the body and tenderness of the loins, fomentations may be applied, 

 followed by a mustard pulp as for acute inflammation, and even in the 

 absence of these indications the mustard may be resorted to with ad- 

 vantage at intervals of a few days. In suppression of urine, fomenta- 

 tions with warm water or with infusion of digitalis leaves is a safer 

 resort than diuretics, and cupping over the loins maj- 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 iuflauimation, every attention must be given to secure 

 warm clothing, a warm stall, and pure air. 



TUMORS OF THE KIDNEYS — PARASITES. 



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. To parasites of the kidney belong the echinococciis, 

 the larval or bladder- worm stage of the small echinococcus tape- worm 

 of the dog; also the Cysticercus JistiOaris, another bladder-worm of an 

 tinknown tape- worm; but in these there is the possibility of the pas- 



