PABT VI. 

 DISEASES OF METABOLISM. 



CHAPTER I. 

 DISEASES OF METABOLISM. 



DIABETES. 



Definition. — Diabetes is a condition marked by habitual 

 discharge of an excessive quantity of urine. Two forms of 

 diabetes are recognized in veterinary medicine, viz.: (a) 

 Diabetes insipidus and (b) diabetes mellitus. 



Diabetes Insipidus. — Diabetes insipidus is a chronic disease 

 marked by great thirst and the passage of large quantities 

 of urine with no excess of sugar. The urine is of low specific 

 gravity. Diabetes insipidus should not be confused with 

 polyuria which is transitory and a symptom of some irritation 

 to the kidneys produced by spoiled food (mouldy oats), and 

 irritant grasses. During the stage of climax in diseases 

 associated with high fever the exudates and debris of the 

 disease pass out through and irritate the kidneys. In man 

 two forms of diabetes insipidus are recognized from an 

 etiological standpoint, viz.: Primary or idiopathic which 

 appears to have no organic basis, and secondary or sympto- 

 matic in which there is evidence of disease of the brain or some 

 other organ. Whether or not true diabetes insipidus exists 

 in animals is questionable. Polyuria (diuresis), however, does 

 occur and, as noted, is a symptom of irritation to the kidneys 

 due to irritant foods. It may also attend chronic nephritis 

 or appear as the critical polyuria of such infectious diseases 

 as pneumonia, pleuritis, etc. 



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