SECTION V. 
DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND SEXUAL ORGANS. 
CHAPTER I. 
CONGESTION OF THE KIDNEYS. 
In the absence of inflammation an increased flow of blood through the arteries 
of the kidneys or obstruction to the return of blood through the veins of the same, 
constitutes congestion. This is of quite frequent occurrence in dogs; but it is 
only rarely detected, because the symptoms to which it gives rise are almost 
always mistaken for rheumatism. 
Wet and cold are the common causes, although it occurs with various inflam- 
matory and febrile diseases of the body, also affections of the heart and lungs; 
and it may be induced by chemical irritants. 
An inability to get up with perfect ease, some stiffness in walking, especially 
when first starting, possibly slight arching of the back, and tenderness on each 
side of the spine a little below the edges of the ribs, are the symptoms usually 
presented. But if the congestion be considerable, the urine is rather scanty and 
high colored; and it may be albuminous. As a rule, however, to which there are 
only few exceptions, congestions do not seriously interfere with the function of 
the kidneys. 
Unless the patient is neglected and further exposed to wet or cold, or fed 
improperly, this trouble should soon disappear of itself, provided it is not caused 
by some disease located elsewhere in the body, and the same still persists. But 
when these symptoms are detected, it is advisable always to put him into com- 
fortable, warm quarters, for a few days restrict the diet to butter-milk, and bathe 
the back two or three times daily with hot alcohol or new rum, rubbing the same 
well into the skin on each occasion. 
Internal medication will not be required in simple congestion of the kidneys, 
and under the treatment advised recovery should take place within a week. 
INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 
While the kidneys are not exempt from acute inflammation, termed acute 
nephritis, the same is rare except it be induced orinvited by the mischievous use 
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