The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1881-01-16
BRIGHT's DISEASE.
Useful Advice to Many Sufferers.

Bright's disease in all its forms is essen
TALLY Inflammation of the kidneys. In some forms
the kidney, at first enlarged afterward becomes con-
tracted. In such case its tissue, pressing on the
numerous blood vessels which traverse the organ,
interferes with the free passage OF the blood This
opposed by the onward impulse of the powerfully
acting heart, the watery constituents of the blood
may he forced through the porous walls OF the blood
vessels usually Of the feet and legs, and have
dropsy not intrequenty produced in an advanced
stage Of this form OF the disease IN some eases .ne
TO ooze out into the small cavities of the lungs which
should normally be filled with air, and death will
ensue from a gradual suffocaton. Or, again, the
backward pressure arising from the resistance OF
contracted kidney will entail so much strain upon the
heart in It's efforts overcome 1t that we occasionally
have enlargement OF the heart secondary effect OF
Bripht's disease. But the most familiar form OF
death resulting from this malady proceeds from the
inability of weakened kidney TO adequately discharge
its once of scavenger. The urea retained In the
blood may he stored up In enormous quantity before
the patient is aware of 1t, when suddenly 1t will
attack the brain and cause commissions. Or acting
more gradually upon the cerebral tissues, 1t may
blunt one sense after another 1t travels from the
upper portion OF this organ downward, until 1t
strikes and contaminates that portion OF the brain
traction the heart and lungs. Ihereupon the heart
stops pusatng, and the unconscious patient quietly
down 10 medical works hereditary aGec-
tiop though from his own observation, DIR.
Edwards is OF opinion that 1t will ultimately be
ciassed. That there predsposng conditions is
unauestionable. such are constipation want OF
CLEANLINESS which impairs ,he T., function Of
excessive muscular action, imposing an abnormal
amount Of work the kidneys through an extra pro-
duction of dead and decayed elements; sedentary
habits which, by depressing the general system, react
unfavorably hard working organ defective cir
culation, by which the blood driven out Of inc ex
alcoholic liquors, which stimulate the organ 70 I'M
moderate activity, and finally, the use OF tobacco,
which Imposes on 1t the superiuous task OF eliminate
ing nicotine This survey OF predsposing conditions
indicates the habits Of life which person Threatened
or afflicted with this malady ought 10 follow OF cap
itaI moment 10 such patients Is daily evacuation Of
the bowels, for which object Dr. Edwards recon-
mends glass OF cold waief drus, no. some Time
Again by frequent baths, by friction and by the use
OF wooden underclotbipg changed at short Intervals
that The skin WILL in large part discharge the ONCE
OF eliminating urea, and sensbly relieve disabled
Kidney AS regards exercise, a moderate amount Is
indispensable but II is equally essential exceed
reasonable bounds. In most cases OF
where the strength has not been too much reduced,
DR. Edwards thinks a walk OF three OF four miles
would be OF positive benefit 10 the Kidneys whereas
one OF ten miles would certainly be Injurious. As re-
CARDS imperfect circulation, the sufferer from this
maady Is cautioned 10 neglect no means Of Keeping
tue feet warm. Apropos OF unequal aItefla dhtTbu-
tion, We may note that as the chlef eause 81 naila-
tlon N the Kidneys ID an excess OF blood Dr. EDWARDS
recommends patients 10 make use OF gentle counter
irritation over the region OF these organs,
coarse towel across the small OF the back, until a
sensation Of warmth is felt. Touching the use Of
alcohol our author does not hesitate 10 say that II
should he absolutely discarded In this disease. Gin
Is popuariy supposed 10 have a beneficial action on
the kidneys. III no doubt, dluretci that Is to
saw IL promotes the activity Of those organs, and IN
oreases the quantity Of urine discharged. Us only
proper function, however Is to tide over great ener-
gencies. 1t is like giving the spur 10 tired horse
he will go faster for a time, but the subsequent eN
hauston viii be all the greater. ION what ground
in science or common sense, - says Or. Black Of
Glasgow, - diuretcs employed at the present
day In dealing with acute and chronic nephrftls
(Brght disease have ever failed 10 comprehend.
II IS an axiom In the treatment OF Inflammation that
rest % the inhamed organ Is Of prime necessity. As
we'll continues Or. Black, "tell a man suffering
from double pneumonia 10 leave his bed and take a
three mile walk 10 give stimulating diureics In
case OF nephrits. Regarding tobacco, DR.. Edwards
says bluntly that single pun OF cigar smoke means
excess 20 person whose Kidneys are diseased This
follows obviously enough from the principle that q
disabled organ must be given as much rest as possible
for II has been plainly demonstrated by physiological
research that nicotine ~ removed from the body
through the agency Of the kidneys. of course the
excessive Of tobacco Is harmless IN general as
well as specific way by upsetting the stomach and
interfering with the thorough digestion and prepare
ishDg poor nourishnent 70 the kidneys.