CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 115 



DIABETES MELLITUS. 



Give the synonym. 



Glycosuria. 



Define this form. 



This is a constitutional disorder of nutrition in which sugar 

 accumulates in the blood and is excreted through the urine, the 

 daily amount of which is greatly increased. 



What is the aetiology ? 



Too much food, especially carbo-hydrates and peptones, with 

 little exercise; also, changes in liver functions, pregnancy, faulty 

 metabolism, certain poisons or pathogenetic organisms. 



Briefly state what is known of the morbid anatomy. 



Comparatively very little is known of the morbid anatomy. 

 The liver is enlarged and fatty, the pancreas smaller, the kidneys 

 show nephritis and are fatty, the blood contains sugar. 



Give the symptoms. 



They usually show themselves more or less slowly; there is 

 loss of strength, alterations of digestion, increased thirst, which 

 is very noticeable, passage of large quantities of urine containing 

 sugar; exertion causes fatigue, and there is a marked and progres- 

 sive emaciation, although the appetite is ravenous. The skin is 

 dry and harsh, constipation apt to be present, the tongue dry, the 

 saliva being scanty. 



The urine has a high specific gravity, is pale in color, almost 

 like water, has a sweetish odor and a sweetish taste. 



To test the urine for sugar, use any of the following tests: 

 Fehling's, Trommer's, or fermentation test. 



Give the prognosis. 



Recovery is rare. Cases may be temporarily relieved. 



What treatment is recommended ? 



Good grooming and attention to the diet are important. Avoid 

 food containing sugar. 



Drugs indicated are opium, codeia, potassium bromide, arsenic, 

 salicylates, lithium salts, strychnine, creasote, lactic acid, nitro- 

 glycerine, sulphide of calcium, bromide of arsenic, etc. 



