Diagnosis. The diagnosis is not very difficult. The urinary trouble and the composition of the urine itself always arouse suspicion. The diagnosis is confirmed by careful and methodical examination per rectum; the inflammation of the fatty tissue surrounding the kidney can usually be detected.
Prognosis. The prognosis is extremely grave, and almost always fatal, particularly in cases of diffuse nephritis.
Treatment. No curative treatment can be absolutely relied on. Treatment, if attempted, is limited to the methods suggested for pyelo-nephritis. Mucilaginous, emollient, and diuretic drinks, and daily doses of 2 to 3 drachms of benzoate of soda given in the drinking water, cause some improvement.
Fig. 232.—Sclerostoma pinguicola. External view of female. a, Male, natural size; b, female, natural size; c, mouth; d, buccal cavity; e, œsophagus; f, intestine; g, anus; h, genital opening; i, genital tract; k, cephalic gland. (Louise Taylor, Annual Report, Bureau of Animal Industry, 1899, p. 614.)
Stimulation of the region of the loins also undoubtedly has a favourable effect, and should always be practised, particularly where perinephritis is developing. It may check the course of the disease and prevent the formation of abscesses. On slaughtering animals suffering as above described the layer of tissue surrounding the kidney is found to be lardaceous and fibro-fatty.
Any treatment through the bladder is contra-indicated, for even the passage of a catheter may cause severe injury of the urethra or the vesical mucous membrane and produce a fatal aggravation.
If these conditions are diagnosed early, while the function of the kidney is more or less preserved, and if the animal is still in good condition, it should be slaughtered.
THE KIDNEY WORM (SCLEROSTOMA PINGUICOLA) OF SWINE.[[7]]
[7]. From Report of the U.S.A. Bureau of Animal Industry, 1899, p. 612. (Louise Taylor.)