RARE DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS. 147 
walls of that organ become more or less thickened and contracted. Pain does 
not appear to be a prominent symptom, although likely some exists at times. 
Frequent urination and perhaps straining, with ineffectual attempts to urinate, 
are about all the symptoms notable. On examination with the finger in the 
rectum the enlargement can be made out; and the presence or absence of heat 
and sensitiveness will indicate whether the trouble is acute or chronic. 
The enlargement is not likely to be influenced by treatment; and efforts can 
properly be restricted to keeping the bowels free, digestion active, and the gen- 
eral health as good as possible. 
To remove the gland is not a very difficult operation, and the chances of re- 
covery from it should be good; but, of course, the operator must be a skilful 
surgeon, and consequently the expense would be very great. 
Cases of cancer of the prostate have been recorded; and in one instance 
within the writer’s experience the victim was a mastiff, about four years of age, 
which had been accustomed from birth to a wholly meat diet, and a quantity of 
food far beyond his needs. 
A diagnosis is always difficult in this class of cases, and professional aid 
imperative. 
RARE DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS. 
In consequence of injuries to the kidneys or parts near them, as by kicks or 
blows, abscess of the kidney is possible ; and it may form first in that organ 
or extend to it from adjacent parts. It may also be associated with diseased 
conditions elsewhere that produce serious changes and obstructions in circula- 
tion, as in certain affections of the heart. 
This is manifestly a grave affection. It is also one that is not easily recog- 
nized. The most prominent symptoms are weakness and great tenderness of the 
back, frequent and difficult urination, fits of shivering followed by fever and 
sweating, emaciation, and gradual exhaustion. In the course of the disease pus 
in considerable quantities is thrown out in the urine. The abscess may burst 
and discharge through the urinary passage ; it may also burst through the loin, 
or into the intestine or peritoneal cavity; while in extremely rare instances, in 
which the abscess is small, a spontaneous cure is effected by the pus becoming 
converted into an innocuous chalky substance. 
Amyloid kidney is a form of chronic disease that is commonly secondary, 
and arises in connection with other grave and exhausting constitutional mala- 
dies or serious diseases of the bones and joints. 
The name given it comes from the appearance of the cut surface of the 
organ, which looks as though it were infiltrated with wax. It is also much 
contracted. 
