274 INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.

Sundry other kinds of this disease might be men-tioned, but too many distinctions would tend only toperplex the reader. Those already mentioned are themost material, and should indeed be attended to, astheir treatment is very different. But even persons whoare not in a condition to distinguish very accuratelyin these matters, may nevertheless be of great serviceto patients in colics of every kind, by only observingthe following general rules, viz. to bathe the feet andlegs in warm water, to apply bladders filled with warmwater, or cloths dipped in it, to the stomach andbowels; to make the patient drink freely of dilutingmucilaginous liquors; and to give him an emollientclyster every two or three hours. Should these notsucceed, the patient ought to be immersed in warmwater.

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.

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CAUSES.—This disease may proceed from any ofthose causes which produce an inflammatory fevc.It may likewise be occasioned by wounds or bruisesof the kidneys, small stones or gravel lodging withinthem, by strong diuretic medicines, as spirits of tur-pentine, tincture of cantharides, &c. Violent motion,as hard riding or walking, especially in hot weather,or whatever drives the blood too forcibly into the kid-neys, may occasion this malady. It may likewiseproceed from lying too soft, too much on the back,involuntary contractions, or -spasms in the urinaryvessels, &c.

SYMPTOMS.—There is a sharp pain about theregion of the kidneys, with some degree of fever, anda stupor or dull pain in the thigh of the affected side.The urine is at first clear, and afterwards of a reddishcolour; but in the worst kind of the disease it gene-rally continues pale, is passed with difficulty, and com-monly in small quantities at a time. The patient feelsgreat uneasiness when he endeavours to walk or situpright. He lies with more ease on the affectedside, and has generally a nausea or vomiting, resem-bling that which happens in the colic.

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