ALBUMINOUS URINE. 
9 
to the practice of venesection. But with regard to the same alter- 
ation in the urine occurring as a sign of diseased kidneys, it would 
appear we are indebted to 
Dr. Prout, who, in one of his Gulstonian Lectures*, thus ex- 
presses himself on the subject: — “Albuminous Urine, or that va- 
riety termed chylous urine, I believe was first distinctly described 
by myself in my little work on urinary diseases.” — The leading 
properties in this urine are, “ that in general it so nearly resembles 
chyle in all respects, as to be scarcely distinguishable from it ; that 
it occasionally passes on the one hand into blood, and on the other 
into lithate of ammonia ; that the chylous state is generally found 
to be more marked two or three hours after eating, while in the 
morning it is sometimes nearly absent ; lastly, that its specific gravity 
little exceeds, and sometimes does not equal, that of healthy urine ; 
so that, unless the quantity of urine be inordinate, which is sometimes 
the case, the drainage from the system does not much exceed that 
of health; a circumstance accounting in some degree for the little 
constitutional disturbance generally produced by this affection.” 
This last statement does not hold good in regard to the horse. 
Most of the urine I have seen, during the continuance of the dis- 
ease, has greatly exceeded in specific gravity healthy urine. 
Dr. Prout, from his cases, concludes that the disease occurs 
equally in males and females ; before and after puberty ; occa- 
sions more or less emaciation ; may continue many years, more or 
less, without affecting the constitution ; the appetite being generally 
good, sometimes inordinate ; and there being evidently an inflamma- 
tory tendency in the system during its progress, which is benefitted 
by blood-letting. — In the chronic stages, the Doctor has found the 
complaint yield, for a time, completely to opium, astringents, and 
mineral acids; whereas, in other instances, these and all other tried 
remedies have failed. Sometimes the complaint ceases spontane- 
ously, and occurs again after a long interval (as it did in one of my 
horses) ; and when it has once recurred it appears to be very liable 
to return, particularly after exposure to cold, or any cold producing 
fever. In general, the Doctor has observed that all stimulating re- 
medies and powerful diuretics and tonics do harm. 
Lastly, the Doctor asks, “ what is the intimate nature of the dis- 
ease]” and answers, that, “like that of all others, it is obscure.” The 
Doctor thinks it cannot be doubted “ that both the assimilating organs 
and the kidneys are involved in the affection. The chyle, from some 
derangement in the process of assimilation, is not raised to the blood- 
standard, and, consequently, being unfit for the future purposes of 
the economy, is, agreeably to a law of the economy, ejected through 
* These lectures are re-published in the 4th vol. of The Veterinarian. 
VOL. XIV. B 
