The urine is generally sanguinolent, at least at first, but to a very varying extent. It is always albuminous, the quantity of albumen varying enormously, and on microscopic examination, is usually found to contain red and white blood corpuscles, epithelium from the kidney hyaline or epithelial cylinders, and, towards the end, pus corpuscles.
Œdema or anasarca, though common in mankind, does not occur in a very marked form, except in intense acute nephritis. Epistaxis is also rare.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis requires some care, because unless the urine be examined the symptoms might lead to error. Nevertheless, it is always possible to distinguish between this condition and hæmaturia or accidental renal hæmorrhage.
Prognosis. The prognosis is grave, because absolute recovery is rare, and because the condition is very apt to become chronic.
The degree of anuria and the respiratory difficulty are of great service in confirming the prognosis. As soon as urine is freely passed the prognosis becomes more favourable.
Treatment. Among the most effective methods of treatment must be included bleeding, which always produces some improvement. Dry friction over the kidneys and flanks, hot moist applications, and the application of a sheep-skin to the loins are also of service. Internally, mucilaginous drinks, diuretic decoctions and milk give the best results. The proportion of albumen rapidly diminishes, dysuria becomes less marked, urine is passed in greater quantities, and in from eight to ten days all the alarming symptoms disappear. Bicarbonate of soda may then be given for a fortnight.
In very grave cases camphor, bromide of camphor, injections of camphorated oil (1 to 2½ drachms internally, or 1 to 1¼ drachms in subcutaneous injections) give excellent results in modifying the pain and moderating the inflammation.
From ½ to 1 drachm of digitalis in powder, or better still an injection of from 5 milligrammes to 1 centigramme of digitalin may also be given when dyspnœa is very great and is accompanied by anasarca. Medicines such as oil of turpentine and considerable doses of nitrate of potash, however, are contra-indicated.
CHRONIC NEPHRITIS
True chronic nephritis, i.e., a condition strictly limited to the renal tissue, and unaccompanied by pyelitis, is still little known among our domestic animals. The symptoms characterising it have not always been carefully noted, and the diagnosis is very often uncertain. Nevertheless, one of the most common forms has been carefully studied by Seuffert, viz., chronic hypertrophic nephritis.