276 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



ing past puerperal infection. In uncomplicated pyelitis in carnivora 

 the urine remains acid (it is alkaline usually in cystitis). 



Treatment. — In human medicine intractable pyelitis may often 

 be treated most satisfactorily by nephrotomy or nephrectomy, and 

 sometimes by washing the pelvis of the kidney through the ureter. 

 In veterinary practice, although the kidney may be removed by 

 laparotomy, yet economy requires the slaughter of the animal 

 (cows) when the condition is sufficiently good or when the patient 

 can be fattened. An abundance of water is desirable and patients 

 can be made to drink by placing an excess of salt in the food, while 

 the use of enemata (one teaspoonful of salt to one pint) will in- 

 crease the flow of urine and help wash out the kidneys. Spirit of 

 nitrous ether and potassium acetate may be given in the early stages 

 thrice daily, of each : C, %\ ; D., 3ss. Urinary antiseptics are of most 

 service, and of these three are preeminent — hexamethylenamine, 

 benzoate of soda and sandalwood oil. The first and last are very ex- 

 pensive for large animals. With an alkaline urine sodium benzoate 

 is beneficial given in the drinking water (C, 3iii daily), but it is 

 probable that hexamethylenamine would be more curative, given in 

 two-dram doses daily to large patients or one-gram daily for dogs 

 in the drinking water. If the urine is acid, as in dogs, salol is very 

 efficient in capsules (D., gr. v thrice daily). In chronic suppurative 

 conditions of the kidney the stimulating diuretics are of value, as 

 sandalwood oil (D., TTtx in capsules) or buchu (C, fluidextract, 

 §i; D., 3ss), given thrice daily. Strychnine sulphate (C, gr. ii on 

 the tongue) with tincture of chloride of iron (C, §i) are useful as 

 general tonics. The bovine patient should be isolated to avoid in- 

 fection of parturient cows. Where the cause can be removed by 

 treatment the prognosis is good, but this is not generally the case. 



Nervous Palpitation of the Heart. 



This condition is a functional disturbance due to over-exertion, 

 excitement, digestive disturbances and " nervousness." The action 



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