INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS—NEPHRITIS 203 



this form of nephritis is most commonly a sequela to puerperal 

 septicemia and in the horse to strangles, pyemia and more 

 rarely purpura. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of diffuse purulent nephritis 

 are usually so vague that a diagnosis cannot be made during 

 life. Where symptoms occur that are at all characteristic 

 both kidneys are involved. The symptoms are very like 

 those of acute parenchymatous nephritis (in the horse colic 

 attacks, arching and rigidity of the back, shortening of the 

 stride in one or both hind limbs, etc.). Cases are recorded 

 where the enlarged kidney produced swelling in the lumbar 

 region. On microscopic examination pus cells may be found. 

 Albuminuria is also present. 



Prognosis. — The prognosis is grave, as sooner or later, if 

 both kidneys are involved, death ensues (uremia). 



Treatment. — Medicinal treatment in animals is of no value 

 as far as producing healing is concerned. In man the removal 

 of the kidney (nephrectomy) is practised. 



Pyelonephritis. — Definition. — Pyelitis is an inflammation of 

 the pelvis of the kidney. Pyelonephritis is a combination of 

 pyelitis and nephritis. 



Occurrence. — In Europe pyelonephritis is common in cattle 

 (cows). A few cases have been recorded in swine: Statistics 

 for this country in regard to the prevalency of the disease are 

 wanting. 



Etiology. — Pyelonephritis may develop in one of two ways: 

 (a) As a bacterial disease which is the most common form in 

 cattle, or (6) it may be caused by stones or concrements which 

 form in the pelvis of the kidney. A rare cause of pyelo- 

 nephritis is the giant palisade-worm, Eustrongylus gigas. 



Bacterial Pyelonephritis of Cattle — As noted this is 

 the most common inflammation of the kidney in the ox. It is 

 probably due to more than one microorganism (streptococci, 

 colon bacilli, staphylococci), but the corynebacillus renalis is 

 the chief offender. The microorganisms enter the kidney 

 either by the blood or the urine. The bacteria which produce 

 pyelonephritis cause a variety of pathological changes in the 

 kidney. As a rule there are present in combination dilatation 

 of the pelvis of the kidney, which is usually found filled with 



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