Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-05-01
june 82- -ly
Disease of the Kidneys.

THE frequency and fatality of diseases of the
Kidneys give an especial interest to the study
and investigation of them, and elevate, any dis
covery as to their essential natures, or the means
of curing them, to very important place in the
art and science of medicine. When the fact is
recalled that the Kidneys are the great scaVen-
gers of the human body,-their Office is to re-
move from the blood any and all impurities which
may exist in it; that if this Office be entirely
shut up life cannot be long maintained. The
products of used-up and Worn-out principles of
the human body, retained in the blood, so poison
the nervous system, that its functions or duties
will be arrested the brain will cease to take cog
nizance of surrounding persons and objects. con-
sciousness will be obliterated, the vital knot will
become congested, the heart and lungs will cease
to perform their part in the phenomena of life,-
they stop. Ere this, however. the most terrible
form of all human suffering is apt to take place,
and gives an additional horror to the hour of
death. If the offices of the Kidneys be so essen
tial to life, that it must cease soon after they
cease to act, the conclusion is unavoidable that
any deviation from the performance of these
offices must be attended with arrangement of
health. The urine is the depurating secretion
eliminated from the blood by the Kidneys, = the
channel by which morbifc agents are carried out
of the general circulation, and the blood pre-
served in healthy quantity and quality. If it
fails to do this, disease follows as necessary
sequence. To preserve health it is necessary to
preserve healthy condition of the Kidneys;
This, of course, is attained by temperance in all
the relations of life-di clothing, exercise, and
residence. But disease and suffering are inev-
liable. They seem to be part OF the curse
While sin has brought its punishments, man still
has the consolation that God has placed within
his reach a balm for every i'll, and that, by I'M
proving the opportunities thus given, he may be
relieved of his suffering, live in the enjoyment OF
comparative comfort, and attain a green old age.
When we recall the Offices of the Kidneys, =
that of removing the worn-out tissue-elements
from the blood, it is easy to understand how
they may become diseased. Acrid and acid con-
ditions of the blood very liable to be attended
with Kidney disorders. These sources of irrita-
tion may lead to various forms of Kidney mala-
dies, as Dropsy, Diabetes, Bright's Disease, in
corresponds with the white of an egg, is carried
off in the urine, causing emaciation and ulti-
mately death. We all know how intractable
these diseases are; that heretofore they have, in
a large per cent. of cases, proved fatal. Medical
science is very much at sea as to their manage
ment. What we desire is a remedy that will give
tone to the Kidneys, build up the blood, destroy
its acrid character, and cure the various maladies
from which these organs suffer. Our attention
has been recently called by several physicians to
Hunts Remedy, Kidney medicine used by
them in their practice. 1t seems to be one of the
very few combinations out of the multitude that
benefit the ailments for which it is designed. 1t
is an active duretic, exciting the seeretions of
the Kidneys to more intense action, and thus
cleansing the blood of impurities. 1t seems to
act promptly in those forms of Dropsy which
depend upon Kidney troubles, and will rapidly
drain out the water from the limbs and abdomen.
In Diabetes it is said to lessen the amount of
sugar, to increase the appetite and otherwise
benefit the patient. - Nelv York Medical and
Surgical Journal.
jy4 '82-1y