Diagnosis, Prognosis. 995 



here the quantity corresponds to that of the pus or blood which 

 is present in the urine. Further the presence of epithehal 

 cells from the pelvis of the kidney, from the bladder or urethra 

 gives information on the localization of the disease, while rectal 

 exploration may often make it possible to ascertain immediately 

 the abnormal condition of the organ. — In renal hemorrhage 

 (infarct, injury, rupture of the renal artery) the quantity of 

 the urine is unchanged, the sediment contains almost only 

 red and a few white blood corpuscles, the blood often coagulates 

 in the ureters to thick cylindrical shapes. 



An exact designation of the various forms of acute nephritis 

 is, often possible if the quantity of albumen, the quantity and 

 nature of the renal elements, and possibly the sensitiveness 

 of the kidneys to pressure are considered. Small amounts of 

 urine of high specific gravity, copious organic sediment, a high 

 percentage of albumen, sensitiveness of the kidneys, perhaps 

 also edematous infiltrations point especially to acute diffuse 

 nephritis. On the other hand the slight and transitory albumin- 

 uria, which is of frequent occurrence in acute infectious dis- 

 eases, and the presence of but few form elements as a rule 

 permit the diagnosis of parenchymatous degeneration or in- 

 flammation of the kidneys. 



Prognosis. Except for the less severe parenchymatous in- 

 flammation there are only few data available on the course 

 of acute nephritis in animals ; but this much seems to be fairly 

 certain that even severe cases are capable of complete retro- 

 gression (Trasbot). During the course of the inflammation it 

 is impossible to make a definite prognosis, because even rela- 

 tively slight cases may later become aggravated or the disease 

 may pass over into the chronic form. A favorable outcome may 

 be expected in those cases of febrile diseases in which the urine 

 contains only small amounts of albumen and very few or no 

 organic form elements. But in the presence of decided oliguria 

 or of complete anuria, or if the urine contains much albumen 

 and many red and white blood corpuscles, the prognosis is very 

 unfavorable; uremic symptoms always are an indication of 

 approaching death. 



Treatment. Of particular importance is the regulation of 

 the diet in so far as the animals should receive easily digested 

 food-stuffs which contain but small amounts of albumen and 

 of salts, and which are neither sharp nor irritating. Herbi- 

 vorous animals will therefore receive, if possible, fresh green 

 feed or good hay, tuberous vegetables, drinks made with flour 

 or bran, while grains should not be permitted; carnivorous 

 animals are most appropriately put on an exclusive milk diet, 

 milk may be given even to large animals if mixed with a decoc- 

 tion of oats or linseed, because it stimulates diuresis. It is 

 advisable to keep the animals in an evenly warm place, and 

 well covered. 



