DIABETES HAMATURU 833 



DIABETES, OR PROFUSE STALING 



IS a comparatively rare disease. It is generally the conse- 

 quence of undue irritation of the kidney by bad food or strong 

 diuretics, and sometimes follows inflammation of that organ. It 

 can seldom be traced in the horse to any disease of the digestive 

 organs The treatment is obscure, and the result often uncer- 

 tain. It is evidently increased action of the kidneys, and there- 

 fore the most rational plan of treatment is to endeavor to abate 

 that action. In order to effect this, the same course should be 

 pursued in the early stage of diabetes as in actual inflammation ; 

 but the lowering systetn must not be carried to so great an ex- 

 tent. To bleeding, purging, and counter-irritation, medicines oi 

 an astringent quality should succeed, as catechu, the powdered 

 leaf of the whortleberry (uva ursi,) and opium. Very careful 

 attention should be paid to the food. The hay and oats should 

 be of the best quality. Green feed, and especially carrots will 

 be very serviceable.* 



BLOODY URINE— H.SMATURIA. 



The discharge of urine of this character is of occasional occur- 

 rence. Pure blood is sometimes discharged which immediately 

 coagulates — at other times it is more or less mixed with the 

 urine, and does not coagulate. The cause of its appearance and 

 the source whence it proceeds cannot always be determined, but 

 it is probably the result of some strain or blow. It may or may 

 not be accompanied by inflammation. 



Should it be the result of strain or violence, or be evidently 

 attended by inflammation, soothing and depleting measures 

 should be adopted. Perhaps counter-irritation on the loins might 



others, from the great tenderness of the loins -when pressed, and the high 

 color of the urine, which is sometimes almost black. 



The bleeding, as stated in the text, should be very copious, and repeated 

 if necessary. One of the best applications to the loins is a fresh sheep-skin, 

 the skin side inwards. This 'will very soon cause, and keep up, a consider- 

 able perspiration, which may be continued by means of a fresh skin in the 

 course of twelve hours. With regard to internal medicines, one of the best 

 sedatives is the white hellebore, in doses of a scruple twice a-day. The 

 bowels should be opened by means of an aperient draught, and abundance 

 of linseed tea should be given, so as to sheath the irritated parts. 



* N^ote by Mr. Spooner. — Diabetes is almost invariably produced by un- 

 wholesome food, such as mow-burnt hay, or kiln-dried oats. It causes 

 excessive debility and loss of flesh. We do not approve of blood- letting, as 

 recommended in the text ; but astringents, such as opium and catechu, com- 

 bined with sulphate of iron, in doses of a drachm twice a-day, are of much 

 Bervice. The cause of the disease, should of course be removed. 



