Fried fish, pork, corned beef, veal, heavy bread, hashes, stews,
battercakes, lamb, beef, mutton, gravies, peas, beans, pastry, ice cream,
cakes, coffee, tobacco, malt or spirituous liquors.
[KIDNEY AND BLADDER 161]
PYELITIS.--This is an inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney and may be
caused by bacteria from the blood, or by ascending pus, infection or
tuberculous infection from the lower tracts like the ureter, bladder and
urethra.
Symptoms.--There is pain in the back, with tenderness and pressure,
cloudy-looking urine, either acid or alkaline, containing pus, mucus, and
sometimes red blood cells; chills, high fever, and sweating occur. This
may become chronic and then it becomes quite serious. Anemia and
emaciation are then marked. Mild cases usually recover; pus cases may end
in other diseases or death from exhaustion.
Treatment. Diet.--In mild cases fluids should be taken freely,
particularly the alkaline mineral water to which citrate of potash can be
added. Tonics should be given when called for, and milk diet and
buttermilk may be taken freely. When a tumor has formed, and even before,
it is perceptible, if the symptoms are serious and severe, an operation
may be necessary.
KIDNEY STONE. (Renal Calculus. Nephro-Leithiasis).--Forming of a stone or
gravel in the kidney or its pelvis may occur in intra uterine, (before the
child is born), in the womb, or at any age. A family tendency, sedentary
life, excesses in eating and drinking and very acid urine predispose. They
vary in size from that of fine sand to that of a bean.
Symptoms.--Patients may pass gravel for years without having an attack of
renal (kidney) colic, and a stone may never lodge in the ureter. A person
may pass an enormous number of calculi. Dr. Osler speaks of having had a
patient who had passed several hundred kidney stones (calculi) with
repeated attacks of kidney colic. His collection filled an ounce bottle. A
patient may pass a single stone and may never be troubled again. A stone
remaining in the kidney may cause dull aching pain in the affected kidney,
or the pain may be referred to the other side and sometimes there may be
blood or pus in the urine, with chill and fever due to pyelitis. Kidney
(renal) colic comes on when a stone enters the ureter, if it is at all
large. At attack may set in abruptly, without any apparent reason, or it
may follow a strain in lifting. The pain may be agonizing in character,
which starts in the flank of the affected side, passes down along the
course of the ureter and is felt in the testicle and along the inner side
of the thighs. The testicle is drawn back. The pain may also go through
the abdomen and chest, and be very severe in the back. In severe attacks
nausea and vomiting are present and the patient is collapsed; sweating
breaks out in his face and the pulse is feeble and weak. The pain lasts
from an hour to several days, until the stone reaches the bladder, partial
suppression of the urine during the attack occurs, but a large quantity of
urine is usually passed after it and a feeling of soreness may, be present
for several days. The stone may again cause pain in passing through the
urethra, or it may remain in the bladder as a nucleus for a bladder
calculus (stone). Dr. Osler gives Montaigne's description as follows;
"Thou art seen to sweat with pain, to look pale and red, to tremble, to
vomit well nigh to blood, to suffer strange contortions and convulsions,
by starts to let tears drop from thine eyes, to urine thick, black and
frightful water, or to have it suppressed by some sharp and craggy stone
that cruelly pricks and tears thee."
[162 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--Great relief is experienced in the attacks by the hot baths or
fomentations which sometimes are able to cause the spasm to relax. If the
pain is very severe morphine should be given by the hypodermic method and
inhalations of chloroform given until morphine has had time to act. Local
applications are sometimes grateful,--hot poultices or cloths wrung out of
hot water may be helpful. Cloths wrung out of steaming hop, wormwood, or
smartweed teas, are of benefit sometimes. Change of position often gives
relief; when the stone is large an operation may be needed. The patient
should drink freely of hot lemonade, soda water, barley water. When the
patient is free from the attack, he should live a quiet life and avoid
sudden exertion of all kinds. There should be a free passage of urine
always. The patient should drink daily a large but definite quantity of
mineral, or distilled water which is just as satisfactory. You may take
the citrate or bicarbonate of potash. Mineral springs are good to visit,
such as Saratoga, Hot Springs, Arkansas, etc. Abstain from alcohol and eat
moderately. Live an open-air life with plenty of exercise and regular
hours. The skin should be kept active; a cold friction bath in the morning
is good, if one is strong; but if he is weak and debilitated the evening
warm bath should be substituted. The patient should dress warmly, avoid
rapid alterations in temperature, and be careful not to allow the skin to
become suddenly chilled.
Diet.--Most persons over forty eat too much. One should take plenty of
time to eat, and not too much meat should be eaten.
"Queen of the Meadow."--The Indians used this medicine quite frequently in
the treatment of kidney and bladder troubles. A lady, whom I know well,
told me that she had a cousin who was affected with the kidney stone
colic. At one time, when he was suffering from an attack, an Indian
happened in their home and saw him suffering. He went into the meadow and
dug some of this remedy and made a tea of it. It seemed to do the work,
for while he gave it, the pain was eased and he never had any more
attacks. I give this for what it is worth. The remedy will certainly do no
harm for it is a good diuretic.
INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. (Cystitis). Causes.--It may occur from injury
from passing a catheter, etc., from the use of drugs like cantharides,
from the presence of a stone, from stricture of the urethra and from
gonorrhea or cold.
Symptoms.--The urine is passed more frequently, sometimes the desire to
pass the urine is almost constant. The distress is relieved for only a few
minutes by passing the urine; sometimes only a few drops are passed, and
it gives no relief from the desire for passing urine. The straining is
extremely severe. Sometimes the patient will lean over the vessel
quivering with the muscular effort to pass urine. The bowels often move at
the same time from the straining. The urine becomes thick with much mucus,
then scanty, and then tinged with blood.
[KIDNEY AND BLADDER 163]
BLADDER TROUBLE. Mothers' Remedies. 1. English Oil of Sandal Wood
for.--"Get one ounce of the pure English oil of sandal wood, take four
drops three times a day in a little water. As you urinate more freely
reduce the dose. This is a splendid remedy."
2. Bladder Trouble, Effective Herb Teas for.--"Make a tea of half ounce of
buchu leaves, half ounce of uva ursi leaves (barberry leaves), one pint of
boiling water. Dose: Two or three tablespoonfuls three times a day, or may
drink quite freely." A tea made of cornsilk is a common and standard
remedy.
Treatment.--Remove cause if possible. Fomentations of hops, smartweed,
wormwood are good, even hot water over the bladder. Hot hip bath is good,
and also the warm foot bath. The bowels should be kept open with saline
laxatives. Buchu tea is very good. Use about one-half ounce of the leaves
to a pint of warm water and let it steep, not boil. Drink freely of this.
Pumpkin seed tea or watermelon seed tea is good, also flaxseed tea. Dr.
Hare recommends the following at the beginning if there is fever:
Tincture of Aconite 3 drams
Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce
Solution of Citrate of Potash enough to make 6 ounces
Mix.
Give a dessertspoonful every four hours until all fever ceases and the
pulse is quiet. The patient should be kept quiet.
Diet.--Should be milk only.
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.--Causes.--It follows repeated
attacks; partial retention of urine in the bladder, decomposing there;
Bright's disease, inflammation of the urethra, injury, etc.
Treatment.--Wash out the bladder with pure warm water or water containing
about one to two teaspoonfuls of boric acid to the pint of warm water.
This should be given once or twice a day; or enough permanganate of potash
can be put into the water to give the water a tinge of the color. An
injection of golden seal, one teaspoonful to the pint of warm water, is
good if there is much mucus. The best way to give the irrigation is to
attach a small funnel to a soft rubber catheter and fill the bladder by
raising the funnel when full of water above the patient's belly; or you
can attach the rubber tube of a fountain syringe to a catheter at one end
and to a funnel at the other and raise the funnel to the desired height;
or you can attach a catheter to the rubber tube of a fountain syringe
(clean one) and raise syringe high enough to allow the water to run into
the bladder gently. The patient will stand just about so much water. The
rubber can then be detached from the catheter and the water allowed to run
out.
[164 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
DISEASE OF THE PROSTATE GLAND. The prostate, which both in structure and
in function is rather a muscle than a gland, is situated at the neck of
the bladder and around the first inch of the urethra. It is divided into
two lateral (side) lobes (parts) by a deep notch behind and a furrow at
the upper and lower surfaces. The so-called middle or third lobe is the
portion which is between the two side lobes at the under and posterior
part of the gland, just beneath the neck of the bladder. The urethra (the
channel for the urine to pass through from the bladder out through the
penis) usually passes through the gland at about the junction of its upper
and middle third.
HYPERTROPHY OF THE PROSTATE.--This is a general enlargement of the gland
in all directions. All the three lobes may enlarge and in about one-third
of the men who have passed middle life some enlargement takes place, and
in about one-tenth of all men over fifty-five this enlargement becomes of
importance in regard to the size. The middle lobe may enlarge so much that
it may extend up into the bladder and block the opening into the urethra;
the side lobes may compress the urethra into a mere slit, or may lengthen
it so that the prostatic portion measures three or four inches, or may
twist and distort it so that the most flexible instrument can only be made
to pass through it with difficulty.
Symptoms.--The earliest symptom may be increased frequency in passing
urine, especially at night. Soon some urine is retained in the bladder,
and this may increase so much that only an ounce or two can be passed
spontaneously, although the bladder contains one pint or more. The stream
of urine is feeble, and will drop perpendicularly towards the feet of the
patient. In some cases an inflammation of the prostate and bladder is set
up, and then the symptoms felt are very distressing. There is an almost
constant desire to pass urine; there is much pain and straining with it; a
slight bleeding may follow and night rest is broken; the general strength
fails from the continual suffering; the urine becomes foul, smells like
ammonia, and is reduced in quantity; inflammation of the kidneys develops
also; general poisoning occurs; and the patient dies of uraemia and in a
"coma" condition.
Treatment. Preventive.--The patient should avoid taking cold in this
disease. Light and easily digested diet is necessary. The bowels must be
kept regular. Alcohol of any kind should not be used. The bladder should
be emptied at regular intervals. Some patients keep a catheter and "draw"
their own urine. Unless the patient takes great care, the bladder and
urethra will be irritated and perhaps infected through neglect of
cleanliness. Medicines are not very useful in severe cases. Operation is
the only reliable cure especially when some urine is always retained.
URINARY PASSAGE. Mother's Remedy.--1. Dandelion Root Will Clean.--"A
decoction made of the sliced root of dandelion in white wine is very
effectual for cleansing and healing inward ulcers in the urinary passage.
If the fresh root cannot be obtained, buy extract of dandelion and give
two teaspoonfuls in water once in two or three hours as the case requires.
It also acts on the liver, gall and spleen."
[KIDNEY AND BLADDER 165]
DROPSY.--Dropsy should be regarded as a symptom, which may arise from many
causes, such as heart disease, lung disease or kidney disease, or it may
depend upon obstruction to the normal flow of blood and lymph through the
vessels and tissues.
From Heart Disease.--In heart disease dropsy is due to a weak heart. The
heart is unable to supply the arteries with enough blood to maintain the
normal pressure, or to damming up of blood in the venous system as the
result of imperfect emptying of the heart cavities. In kidney trouble the
dropsy depends more on the lack of proper nourishing processes in the
capillary walls and upon changes in the blood and blood pressure. If the
kidneys are diseased, they may not be able to eliminate the proper amount
of liquids which accumulate and finally escape into the tissues. Liver
troubles cause dropsy by producing pressure upon the large blood-vessels
going to the liver, and consequently the fluid is generally confined to
the lower limbs and abdomen.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Dropsy, 1. Juniper Berries Fresh or Dry for.--"The
berries of the juniper tree are regarded as excellent home remedies in
dropsy. They may be eaten fresh or dry, or make a decoction and drink. Two
teaspoonfuls of the berries two or three times a day is considered a dose.
It is well to bruise them thoroughly by breaking the seeds with a hammer
before taking." The decoction is more effective. This helps the dropsy by
acting on the kidneys.
2. Dropsy, Wild Milkweed for.--"Steep the root of the wild milkweek and
drink the tea in doses of a wineglass three times a day. This is a sure
cure if taken in early stages."
3. Dropsy, White Bay Buds for.--"White bay buds steeped in water." The
white bay buds can be secured at any drug store, and are easily prepared.
Make a tea of these the same as you would make green tea for the table,
only stronger. Take several times a day. This is an excellent remedy.
4. Dropsy, Canada Thistle for.--"Steep dwarf elder root, or Canada thistle
root, and drink the tea." This is an old tried remedy that our
grandmothers used to use, and can be depended upon. We all know that in
olden times mothers had to use these herb remedies, as doctors could not
be secured as easily as they can in these days.
5. Dropsy, Very Effective Remedy for.--"Make a decoction of fresh
dandelion root slices, one ounce to one pint of water boiled down to
one-half pint, strain, adding two drams of cream of tartar. Dose: A wine
glassful two or three times a day."
6. Dropsy, Common Herb Remedy for.--"One gallon white beech bark, after
the rough bark is removed, good big handful of blackberry root, cut fine,
and also of sassafras root. Cover with cold water and steep to get the
strength; then strain. When cool, not cold, add one pint bakers' yeast and
one cup of sugar. Let it stand twenty-four hours in a warm place. Then
strain and set in a cool place. Take a wineglassful three times a day
before meals. This has been highly recommended to me by a friend in
Kalkaska, Michigan."
[166 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
7. Dropsy, "Queen of the Meadow" for.--"Is a symptom of morbid conditions
existing in the system, therefore nutritious diet, alkaline baths and a
general hygienic regulation of the daily habits are of the greatest
importance. Take one teaspoonful of powder of "Queen of the Meadow" in a
cupful of water three or four times a day as the case may require. Either
use tea or powder."
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Dropsy.--Treat the disease that causes it.
Remedies should be given that will cause an outpouring of the liquids.
Salines, such as epsom salts in large doses. Cream of tartar and epsom
salts (equal parts) taken freely is effective. If the kidneys are inactive
owing to heart trouble, the following may be used: An infusion of
digitalis in one to four teaspoonful doses every three to four hours. This
pill is good.
Powdered Digitalis 20 grains
Powdered Squills 20 grains
Mix into twenty pills and take one every five hours.