436 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
albumen in the urine was a sure symptom of this disease, 
which is generally looked upon as incurable. Even to this 
day some doctors, after examining a person’s urine and 
finding it, will tell him that his case is hopeless. Of course 
if it is present in great quantity it 1s a very bad omen. But 
facts are to hand that albumen has been found in the urine of 
people in good health, who never had disease of the kidneys, 
and some have died of the disease, whose urine had hardly a 
trace of it. We are reminded here of the old proverb on 
exception to rules; but we give these facts to show that this 
alone is not sufficient to determine consumption of the 
kidneys. The presence of tube casts, seen by the micro- 
scope, is more certain, but even with these combined, showing 
the disease, it is wrong to pronounce a case hopeless. While 
there is life there is hope, even in Bright’s disease. The 
symptoms are, pain in region of kidneys, fulness under the 
eyes, caused by slight dropsy, gradual loss of strength, swelling 
at the ankles, poor appetite, constipation, dusky skin. The 
utine is pale, ofa low specific gravity, and shows the presence 
of the albumen, by the tests given for it on page 382. ‘The 
causes are, the result of acute inflammation, excessive use of 
malt liquors, irritative medicines, gouty condition, gravel in 
the kidneys, obstruction to the circulation, through colds, &c. 
Treatment :—As in other serious diseases we generally give the 
botanic first, as it has proved itself a saving one. Begin with 
a partial course of medicine, thus— 
Bone-s2t Herb.......s+seeeeeeeeee One ounce. 
Lobelia Herb and Seed ..........++.. One drachm. 
Cayenne nt as se vba Oia a aia te Woe cular otas pee ae eee 
Mandrake, in powder ........eee008 Half drachm. 
Infuse in a pint of boiling water; stand before the fire one 
hour, during which time the body should be bathed all over 
with a decoction of hemp agrimony. After this put to bed, 
with hot brick to the feet in vinegar cloth; strain the 
infusion, sweeten with treacle, and give in wineglassful doses 
every ten minutes till it is taken. Vomiting will commence 
