Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-09-05
Bright'S Disease.

THE medical profession generally divide
| this terrible disease of the kidneys into two
| forms, the acute and the chronic. The
acute form is a simple congestion of the
tiltering tubes through which the kidneys
perform their organic duty. The chronic
form occurs when, through neglect or re-
peated attacks of congestion, granular
degeneration, bringing with it structural
alteration of the organ, has supcrvenCd.
The first is durable; the second, though it
may be temporarily alleviated is fatal.
The New York Times publishes some
valuable statistics extending over a Pc
riod of three years, which shows that the
disease is more rife in certain
sections of this than in other
countries, especially in New York city.
During the first year covered by these
statistics, the ratio OF deaths from Brights
disease to the total number of deaths taxi
ing place in that period was as to G6, the
following year as to 50, and the third
year as to -. Comparing these figures
with the ratios in other cities, we find that
in Boston it is as to 49, Rochester as l
to 70; and in The old world, in London as
/ to 50, in Glasgow as to I42, in Paris
as | to 1868
1t is considered that the prevalence of
the disease in this country is due to two
leading causes, climate and intemper-
anCe. The experiments of scientific men
have shown that alcohol is partly cast off
from the system, unchanged, through the
kidneys. When alcohol is taken to ex-
cess, the circulation in the kidneys is dis
turbed and irritation and congestion en-
sue. Wine and beer, although exercising
no beneficial effect on these organs, do
nd a ~ n mi
rather to induce govt Few are aware of
the immense quantity Of alcoholic liquors
yearly consumed in New York From
the LIST of May, 1870 TO the 30th of April,
1871, :, 4i4 licenses were issued for the
sale Of intoxicating liquors, the annual
fees on which amounted to $40, Ill, 81.
Estimating the population of the city at
| 600, 600 there is one liquor saloon for
every l34 inhabitants, men, women and
children. If all the liquor saloons in the
city could be placed side by side they
would extend distance of 26 miles; or
If situated on Broadway. they would
reach the whole length of the street from
the Battery to the end of the Island, COW
ering both sides of the way Deducting
the women and children who do not
drink. an enormous quantity of liquor
must be annually consumed by the re-
naming men in order to support 1,44
saloons Whisky is the ordinary bever-
age drunk, and its effect on the kidneys
is shown above. The records of the New
York Hospital show that over fifty per
cent. of the cases yearly admitted for
treatment were caused by intempcrance
in the use of alcoholic beverages.
The trying nature of our climate is
another prolific cause Of this disease II
has been demonstrated that the malady is
confined to that part Of the earthin which
the change of seasons is most marked,
and where the annual mean temperature
of the air ranges between As . and 80.
In the extreme northern part of this con-
tinent, where cold is the normal cOndi-
ton of the atmosphere and in the South
ern States, where heat is the normal con-
Gition, the disease is but little known. In
Bombay the proportion of deaths I, in
$500, in New Orleans 1t is in b., a.
II Providence, where cold is more iI-'a-
lent than in New York, in 173
The acute form Of Bright's disease may
be produced by any sudden chill of the
system, undue exposure, or rapid change
OF temperature Unreasonable changes Of
garments and rapid checking of perspira-
ton both tend to bring it on. 1t is also
Induced to a certain degree by govt or
disease of the heart, one or two trades are
particularly liable to it, especially those
who work in lead.
A careful study Of the causes of the
disease, together with the cons, Grafton
by the facts advanced above, shoT plain
lv that vast numbers of persons who
now suffer and die under it, need never
have known such an affection Care in
keeping themselves warmly clad, avoid
ance OF sudden chills and reckless expos
urc, and the observance OF the simple
rules of temperance, would have saved
hundreds from premature grsves.-ocH"-
hfc american.