ON NEPHRITIS. 
316 
marily dependent on derangement of the digestive apparatus, yet 
I look upon the albuminous appearance of the urine with tender- 
ness of the kidneys and fever as diagnotic of nephritis, and in all 
doubtful cases avail myself of an exploration of the pelvic and 
lumbar regions. The tongue and pulse have not been observed by me 
to be contracted, as in enteritis. The diseases with which it may 
be confounded are apoplexy, enteritis, hepatitis, cystis, colic, &c. 
The indications of cure are, to subdue inordinate arterial action, 
and unload the vessels of the part by free venesection, purging, 
and counter-irritation ; to equalize the circulation, and attempt to 
restore healthy excretion by sedatives ; and, if the latter is not 
accomplished by these means, as soon as the inflammatory dia- 
thesis is removed, to exhibit such agents as stimulate and force the 
kidneys to resume a healthy action. 
As a cathartic, I generally give aloes 3iv vel 3 v j, ol. hni 5 XX 
vel Jxxx, with acidi hydrocyanici M. xx (Scheele’s), assisting its 
action with an enema ; and following up this with repeated doses 
of ant. pot. tart., veratri, or ipecac., if satisfied that the alimentary 
canal is sound ; but if irritable, the prussic acid as a sedative, and 
aloes a nauseant, are available. For answering the third intention, 
the balsam of copaiva is highly valuable. I mostly give it in the 
following form : §iss bals. copaiva ; 3iv camphor. ; 3 ij aa ant. 
pot. tart, et p. ipecac ; 5j opii ; farina q.s., ft. mass for four or six 
balls, one per diem. If much debility exists, cascarilla or myrrh 
may be added. 
As counter-irritants, linimentum ammon., lin. diniod. hydr., and 
the mustard poultice, are useful. On two occasions I employed dry 
cupping, previous to the embrocation, with good effect, and have 
frequently applied hot salt, & c., and also a sheep’s skin ; but if 
the skin is rendered irritable previous to applying the latter, a 
blemish is likely to ensue. 
Diet . — I allow plenty of linseed tea and scalded bran, and often 
use the muzzle to restrain indulgence in dry fodder. 
The annexed cases may illustrate my views : — 
Mar. 13 th . — Called by Mr. Rook, Trayson Tree, to an aged 
draught-mare in foal, the fattest I ever met with. Had refused 
water on the 13th; fed indifferently; occasionally evinced pain by 
stamping and lying down. 
14 th . — Much the same. Bled freely. I found her temperature 
pretty regular, so was the respiration; the countenance lively. 
Pulse about 65°, and round. Stands with one hinder limb re- 
laxed : shifts, and shews uneasiness, as before alluded to. A small 
quantity of glairy urine was drawn from the bladder by the cathe- 
ter. On passing the hand, tenderness of the right kidneys was 
