The usual symptoms are a quick pulse; loss of appetite; high-colored
urine, passed in small quantities, with difficulty and pain. Pressure on
the loins gives pain, and the animal will shrink on placing the hand
over the region of the kidneys.
_Causes._--Cold, external injury, or injury from irritating substances,
that are often sent full tilt through the kidneys, as spirits of
turpentine, gin and molasses, saleratus. It is unnecessary to detail all
the causes of the disease: suffice it to say, that they exist in any
thing that can for a time obstruct the free and full play of the
different functions.
_Treatment._--This, too, will consist in the invitation of the blood to
the surface and extremities, and by removing all irritating matter from
the system, _in the same manner as for inflammation of the bowels_. The
application of a poultice of ground hemlock, or a charge of gum hemlock,
will generally be found useful. The best drinks--and these should only
be allowed in small quantities--are gum arabic and marshmallow
decoctions.