Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-01
NUMBER IL.
Bright's Disease of the Kidneys.


An Eminent Physician" in Hearth and
Home gives an account Of this disease
which has of late carried off so many
prominent men. After speaking OF the
discoveries which the microscope has en-
abled anatomists 10 make, in regard 10 tho
character and effects OF diseases, the
writer says:
The disease described by DR.. Richard
Bright, and which bears his name, affects
tho secrcting apparatus OF the kidney.
The principal junction of the kidney is to
throw of (climinate) from the system
waste products. Throughout the entire
body. in muscle, brain, bone, and in every
tissue, the process Of tearing down and
building upis necessarily going on. This
waste material. The debris,is not only no
longer suitable iog the purpose OF the ami
NAL economy, but much of it is absolute
w. poisonous TO the blood and to the tis.
sues. Hence, in healthy nutrition, 1t Is
carried rapidly out of the system through
the kidneys. bowels, lungs, liver. and
skin, or other excretng organs. When
ever any one of these organs ceases to
act. the waste material which that organ
separates either accumulates in the sys-
TEN, or is eliminated, though imperfect
". by another organ. The result OF this
accumulation is that the Sy item becomes
slowly poisoned, and sooner or later tho
effect appears in some grave form OF
disease. These changes frequently pro-
grcss so insidiously that the true nature
of the disease is not even suspected un-
i'll the sudden appearance Of some Sc
rous and perhaps fatal symptoms
Brich ;, disea :e Is an Inflammation, OF
which there are two kinds. In the ilrsI
(acute) the little tubes 0uDules) OF the
kidney, of which there are thousands, be-
come cIogged by now. formed mem
brane, rs does he windpipe in Group. In
the second, (chI the tissue that
forms the frame work of the kidney,
and in which these tubules lie, becomes
inhnmed and slowly contracts AMI finally
presses upon the tubes - rs To Interfere
with or entirely obstruct the flow %, the
secretion. In both forms there are many
minute changes in the tissues oi the or
gnns which tlt microscope reveals The
first or acutd form is very liable to occur
in the cours, of other diseases, as scarlet
fever, measles, typhus fever, etc.
The great danger in Brisht's disease is
from the poisoning OF the blood by the
waste material which is no longer prop
er!y excreted by the kidney. This poison
acts especially upon the brain, causing
stupor. and frequently convulsions.
The causes of acute Brights disease
are cold, scarlet fever, pregnancy lrri-
tating foods md drinks, etc The chronic
form may be induced by any of these
causes; intemperance is a very frequent
cause.
The symptoms Of acute Bright's disease
are vomiting, chills and fever, pain in the
loins, partial suppression Of urine, which
is dark. colorcd and sometimes bloody.
and dropsy of feet and face, hands and
LEGS. Ii the urine be boiled in spoon or
other vessel. dense white cloud forms,
which determines the nature OF the dis
ease. This cloud IS albumcn. and hence
the name aljuncaaTia, which has been
given to the disease. Acute Bnghts
d;scas. $ very fatal, unless carly rec
oopjzed and actively treated. Thepatient
generally dies OF slow poisoning OF the
brain, the symptoms being fist duiIness
Of intellect. thca s.upor, finally heavy
sleep with snoring, and Especially III
chldrenl conyuIsions. The important
principle in treatment is constant per-
,pra,ion, and free action OF the bo'Te''' n
order to drain out of the system the
materials accumulatirg in the blood from
deficient action Of the kidneys.
In chronic Bright's disease, the symp-
toms progress much more slowly. There
NAV be little pain in the back, no ch'iis
and fever, and the first symptoms that
attract attention may be paiineSs (drop-
sy) of the feet at night, ard of the eye
lids in the morning. These symptoms
may continue tor an indefinite period
and not attract attention, until sIight
cold or the occurrence of some other dls'
ease aggravatcs the existing disease Oh
the kidney, when deep stupor may set III
or commissions, and life is soon terminal
ed. There are doubtless very many
cases of chronic Bright's disease in every
community, slowly and insidiou'Iy pro-
crossing toward a fatal termination.
The principa! treatment in the chronic
form is such protection of the skin as Will
secure uniformity of temperature. Elan
nels should be constantly worn over the
entire body, and about the loinS there
should he an additional thickness. A
warm, dry climate should be sought II
possible, and the general health well
maintained.
Coon RULEs.-Stop grumbling, getup