ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS., 163 



ations are more or less distinctly marked. In slight cases the 

 epithelium seems to be the only part affected, the connective tissue 

 and the bloodvessels show no other pathological alteration than a 

 reddish-gray coloration of the covering (parenchymatous degenera- 

 tion). When the irritation is great there is true parenchymatous 

 inflammation of the kidneys. The epithelium and the interme- 

 diate tissue become affected, and also the bloodvessels and all the 

 exudation processes follow which accompany acute inflammation. 

 The anatomical alterations that are found are as follows : The 

 epithelium has undergone the same alteration as in parenchymatous 

 degeneration, but more acute in its type. The capsules of the 

 glomeruli and the small urinary canals are altered, and the con- 

 nective tissue is filled with a liquid infiltration, forming numerous 

 coagulated masses containing large numbers of leucocytes. The 

 vessels are enlarged (hypereemic) and partially compressed by the 

 surrounding exudates. In the interstitial tissue and in Miiller's 

 capsule we find small circumscribed hemorrhages. 



There are a number of circular-shaped inflammatory centres sur- 

 rounded by liquid exudates. The inflamed kidney may present a 

 variety of different appearances. It may be enlarged or normal 

 ill size, soft or hard, reddened or very pale, yellowish-white, and 

 on the surface of the kidney there may be found a number of 

 hemorrhagic spots that are slightly elevated from the surface of 

 the gland. The capsule can easily be stripped from the body 

 of the kidney. There are certain forms of acute nephritis and 

 glomerulo-nephritis that present so little visible changes that they 

 may escape the eye of the non-experienced practitioner. Concern- 

 ing more accurate details the author would refer you to the various 

 text-books on pathological anatomy. 



Clinical Symptoms and Course. Slight inflammatory con- 

 ditions of the kidneys are rarely recognized in the dog, as the only 

 diagnostic points are to be found on examination of the urine. 

 This contains a small amount of albumin, some hyaline cylinders, 

 and a few epithelial cells and leucocytes. 



In acute inflammatory conditions the animal has a peculiar stiff 

 gait in walking, and in some cases staggering, with the hindlegs 

 carried straight. Tenderness on pressure in the regions of the 

 loins; a quick, full pulse; great lessening in the amount of urine 

 secreted, and what is passed is dark in color and contains small 



