INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY^— NEPHRITIS 223 



In cattle this form of nephritis is most commonly a sequel 

 to puerperal septicemia and in the horse to strangles, pyemia 

 and more rarely purpura. 



Symptoms. — ^The symptoms of diffuse, purulent nephritis 

 are usually so vague that a diagnosis cannot be made during 

 life. Where symptoms occur that are at all characteristic, 

 both kidneys are involved. The symptoms are very like 

 those of acute parenchymatous nephritis (in the horse colic 

 attacks, arching and rigidity of the back, shortening of the 

 stride in one or both hind limbs, etc.). Cases are recorded 

 where the enlarged kidney produced swelling in the lumbar 

 region. On microscopic examination pus cells may be 

 found. Albuminuria is also present. 



Prognosis. — ^The prognosis is grave as sooner or later, if 

 both kidneys are involved, death ensues (uremia). 



Treatment.^ — ^Medicinal treatment in animals is of no value 

 as far as producing healing is concerned. In man the 

 removal of the kidney (nephrectomy) is practised. 



Pyelonephritis. — ^Definition. — Pyelitis is an inflammation of 

 the pelvis of the kidney. Pyelonephritis is a combination 

 of pyelitis and nephritis. 



Occurrence. — ^In Europe pyelonephritis is common in 

 cattle (cows). A few cases have been recorded in swine. 

 Statistics for this country in regard to the prevalency of the 

 disease are wanting. 



Etiology. — Pyelonephritis may develop in one of two ways : 

 (a) As a bacterial disease which is the most common form in 

 cattle, or (b) it may be caused by stones or concrements which 

 form in the pelvis of the kidney. A rare cause of pyelo- 

 nephritis is the giant palisade worm, Eustrongylus gigas. 



Bacterial Pyelonephritis of Cattle. — As noted this is the most 

 common inflammation of the kidney in the ox. It is prob- 

 ably due to more than one microorganism (streptococci, colon 

 bacilli, staphylococci), but the corynebacillus renalis is the 

 chief offender. The microorganisms enter the kidney either 

 by the blood or the urine. The bacteria which produce 

 pyelonephritis cause a variety of pathological changes in the 

 kidney. As a rule there are present in combination dilata- 

 tion of the pelvis of the kidney, which is usually found filled 



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