NEPHRITIS 83 



tissues and consequent compression of the ducts, 

 and diminished secretion of water. 



The specific gravity of the urine during acute 

 nephritis is higher than normal (1,035 to 1,050), and 

 the urine itself is thicker in consistency, slimy, tur- 

 bid, dark in color, and may be blood-stained (hema- 

 turia). /C microscopic examination reveals the vari- 

 ous kinds of casts in large quantities, numerous 

 epithelial cells, and red and white blood corpuscles. 



The discharge of urine occurs only in small quan- 

 tities during acute nephritis and is accomplished 

 by considerable pain and straining. If the bladder 

 is examined per rectum it is found to be empty. 

 Pressure over the loin causes pain, direct manipula- 

 tion of the kidneys themselves is painful, and they 

 are found to be enlarged. 



Renal colic is most marked at the commencement 

 of the disease. . The patient arches his back, and the 

 gait is staggering. In male animals one testicle is 

 often drawn up. The appetite is suspended from 

 the beginning and vomiting is common. Constipa- 

 tion generally sets in soon after the vomiting ap- 

 pears, to be later alternated with diarrhea. 



The temperature ranges from 103 to 105 degrees 

 Fahrenheit. At first the pulse is hard and strong, 

 but later on becomes weak and fast. Hydremic 

 swellings appear on the head, breast, belly, scrotum, 

 extremities and within the abdomen, while abdom- 

 inal dropsy is also sometimes seen. 



In the severer cases, tending to a fatal issue, the 

 symptoms of uremia are added to the foregoing. 

 Uremia consists of an accumulation of urinary con- 

 stituents in the blood and tissues. The symptoms 

 of this condition are a fall of temperature, vomiting, 

 great weakness, dyspnea, convulsions, and coma. 

 The patient exhales a characteristic uriniferous odor 

 from the lungs and skin. 



