DISBASBS OF THB; urinary organs. 121 



always useful in calming the excitable condition of the spinal cord, 

 muscles, liver, and kidneys, and also in favoring secretion from the two 

 latter. On the second day give diuretics, such as saltpeter, one-half 

 ounce, and powdered colchicum, one-half dram, to be repeated twice 

 daily. A laxative may be repeated in three or four days should the 

 bowels seem to demand it, and as the nervous excitement disappears; 

 any remaining muscular weakness or paralysis may be treated by one- 

 half dram doses of nux vomica twice a day and a stimulating lini- 

 ment (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. When 

 the patient can not stand he must have a thick, soft bed, and should 

 be turned from side to side at least twelve hours. As soon as he 

 can be made to stand he may be helped up and even supported in 

 a sling. 



Chronic Inflammation of the Kidneys. Chronic inflamma- 

 tion of the kidneys is more commonly associated with albumen and casts 

 in the urine than the acute form, and in some instances these conditions 

 of the urine may be the only prominent symptoms of the disease. 

 -Though it may follow blows, injuries, and exposures, it is much more 

 commonly connected with faulty conditions of the system, such as indi- 

 gestion, heart disease, lung or liver disease, imperfect blood formation or 

 assimilation. In short, it is rather the attendant on a constitutional in- 

 firmity than on a simple local injury. 



It may be associated with various forms of diseased kidney, as shrink- 

 age (atrophy), increase (hypertrophy), softening, red congestion, white 

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

 disease b}'' itself. 



Symptoms. There may be stiffness, weakness, and increased sensibil- 

 ity of the loins, and modified secretion of urine (increase or suppression) 

 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 shown by swelled legs, 

 is a significant symptom, and if the dropsy takes place along the lower 

 line of the body, 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 appetite, 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 



