Sundry other kinds of this disease might be mentioned, but too many distinctions would tend only to perplex the reader. Those already mentioned are the most material, and should indeed be attended to, as their treatment is very different. But even persons who are not in a condition to distinguish very accurately in these matters, may nevertheless be of great service to patients in colics of every kind, by only observing the following general rules, viz. To bathe the feet and legs in warm water; to apply bladders filled with warm water, or cloths dipped in it, to the stomach and bowels; to make the patient drink freely of diluting mucilaginous liquors; and to give him an emollient clyster every two or three hours. Should these not succeed, the patient ought to be immersed in warm water.
INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.
CAUSES.——This disease may proceed from any of those causes which produce an inflammatory fever. It may likewise be occasioned by wounds or bruises of the kidneys; small stones or gravel lodging within them; by strong diuretic medicines; as spirits of turpentine, tincture of cantharides, &c. Violent motion, as hard riding or walking, especially in hot weather, or whatever drives the blood too forcibly into the kidneys, may occasion this malady. It may likewise proceed from lying too soft, too much on the back, involuntary contractions, or spasms, in the urinary vessels, &c.
SYMPTOMS.——There is a sharp pain about the region of the kidneys, with some degree of fever, and a stupor or dull pain in the thigh of the affected side. The urine is at first clear, and afterwards of a reddish colour; but in the worst kind of the disease it generally continues pale, is passed with difficulty, and commonly in small quantities at a time. The patient feels great uneasiness when he endeavours to walk or sit upright. He lies with most ease on the affected side, and has generally a nausea or vomiting, resembling that which happens in the colic.
This disease however may be distinguished from the colic by the pain being seated farther back, and by the difficulty of passing urine with which it is constantly attended.
REGIMEN.——Every thing of a heating or stimulating nature is to be avoided. The food must be thin and light; as panado, small broths, with mild vegetables, and the like. Emollient and thin liquors must be plentifully drank; as clear whey, or balm-tea sweetened with honey, decoctions of marsh-mallow roots, with barley and liquorice, &c. The patient, notwithstanding the vomiting, must constantly keep sipping small quantities of these or other diluting liquors. Nothing so safely and certainly abates the inflammation, and expels the obstructing cause, as copious dilution. The patient must be kept easy, quiet, and free from cold, as long as any symptoms of inflammation remain.
MEDICINE.——Bleeding is generally necessary, especially at the beginning. Ten or twelve ounces may be let from the arm or foot with a lancet, and if the pain and inflammation continue, the operation may be repeated in twenty-four hours, especially if the patient be of a full habit. Leeches may likewise be applied to the hæmorrhoidal veins, as a discharge from these will greatly relieve the patient.
Cloths dipped in warm water, or bladders filled with it, must be applied as near as possible to the part affected, and renewed as they grow cool. If the bladders be filled with a decoction of mallows and camomile flowers, to which a little saffron is added, and mixed with about a third part of new milk, it will be still more beneficial.
Emollient clysters ought frequently to be administered; and if these do not open the body, a little salt and honey or manna may be added to them.
The same course is to be followed where gravel or stone is lodged in the kidney, but when the gravel or stone is separated from the kidney, and lodges in the Ureter[[119]], it will be proper, besides the fomentations, to rub the small of the back with sweet oil, and to give gentle diuretics; as juniper-water sweetened with the syrup of marsh-mallows: a tea-spoonful of the sweet spirits of nitre, with a few drops of laudanum, may now and then be put in a cup of the patient’s drink. He ought likewise to take exercise on horseback, or in a carriage, if he be able to bear it.