348 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
It generally begins with alternate fits of heat and cold, 
fever, hot dry skin, fainting, weakness. If it is not met and 
successfully treated, bloody urine may be passed, and even pus, 
when some portions of the kidneys suppurate (the usual 
division, acute and chronic). The object of ourtreatment is to 
subdue the inflammation and preyent the suppurative process. 
First, we must try and find out the cause andremove it. That 
done, we must look to the nursing, and the ventilation of the 
room. The reader will remember our advice against the 
common practice of giving strong diuretics while the acute 
symptoms last. The kidneys must have rest. If the patient 
is strong enough the course of medicine will be safe. If, 
however, the symptoms are too far advanced, give a medicated. 
bath, prepared thus :—Infuse three and a half ounces of marsh- 
mallow leaves in a gallon of boiling water; cover, let it stand 
till cold enough, then let the patient stand in it while he 1s 
sponged all over for five minutes; rub dry, and inject into the 
bowels the slippery elm injection, let it be retained as long as: 
possible. This done, put on the compound slippery elm 
poultice, and give a drink of the elm gruel, a teaspoonful of 
the powder to the half pint. Keep the hot brick to the feet ; 
give a wineglassful of the infusion of jaborandi leaves every 
hour, or sufficient to keep up perspiration. As a diet, the 
digestive food should be given freely. As the inflammatory 
symptoms subside, lessen the dose of the jaborandi, and 
prepare a decoction of the following :— 
Dandelion Roots ...... Cane te bene war es Two ounces. 
DBPAVON 55,58 x ideates dt eee eS bataneat gs ey teatro One ounce. 
Kidneywort ...... ug pale piace weirs e+eee One ounce. 
Marshmallow Roots............ shat Ste a's One ounce. 
Bruise and simmer the roots in three pints of water 20 
minutes, then add the herbs, simmer five minutes more, strain 
hot on two ounces of gum arabic, give a wineglassful from 
four to six times a day. If vomiting (which is sometimes 
present) should occur, give the mint tea with a teaspoonful of 
the bicarbonate of potash to the half pint, a tablespoonful 
