The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-05-01
Something You Should Know.

Many of our readers have often asked !
"What is Bright's disease of the Kidneys,
about which we hear so much?' To answer
their question we have secured the follow
ing explanatory article, written by compe-
tent authority:
One of the worst physical scourges of the
world to-day-notaby in England, Ger
many, America and Australians Kidney
Disease. An alarmingly large proportion OF
the population of the countries named is
afflicted with it, in one form or another.
The symptoms Of Brights Disease (Which
is but an advanced form of Kidney Disease)
differ in different individuals, but generally
the patient presents 1labby, bloodless look,
Is drowsy and easily fatigued, has pain in
the back, vomiting and febrile disturbance.
Dropsy, varying in degree from slight puff
ness of the face to an accumulation of the
fluid sufficient to distend the whole body
and to occasion serious embarrassment to
respiration, is very common accompani-
ment. The urine is reduced in quantity, is
often of dark, smoky or bloody color, and
exhibits to chemical reaction the presence
of a large amount of albumen, while under
the microscope blood corpuscles and casts are
found. Very often dimness of vision, due
u
eye, and also hypertrophy of the heart, lead
ing to fatal apoplexy, are Accomplishments
OF the disease.
There are several forms of the malady,
but their common prominent characteristic
is the presence of albumen in the urine, and
frequently also the co-existence OF dropsy
These associated symptoms, in connection
with Kidney Disease were first described in
80. tsch
physician, who first investigated them.
Sometimes there is degeneration Of the
tissues of the kidneys into fat, thus impair
ing the excreting powers of the organ so
that the urea is not sufficiently separated
from the blood. The flow of the blood,
when charged with this urea, is retarded
through the minute vessels, congestion en-
sues, and emulation OF albumen and fibrin
is the result. The disease is often accom-
panied by eruptions on the skin, as boils,
etc, and is frequently associated with en-
largement of the heart
The causes of this terrible malady are, in
diligence in too much ice-water as a bever-
age, strong drink, high living, indigestion,
exposure to wet and cold, various kinds OF
fevers, malaria, pregnancy, and other bod
lily arrangements, such as complication of
certain acute diseases, like erysipelas, diph-
iberia, and especially scarletfever( of which
| it is one of the most frequent and serious
after etfects), diseases of bones and other
scrofulous affections. The kidneys being
the most important excretory organs of the
body, their arrangement may speedily de-
stroy life.
Common-sense treatment of Kidney Dis
ease of the character referred to necessa-
rily involves removal of the causes, rectifi-
cation of other sccretions and increase in
the number of blood-red corpuscles,b by the
administration of Warmers Safe Cure. 1t is
a specific even in the advanced stages,
when the blood has poisoned the nerve cen
tiers, restoring the secretion of healthy
fluids and relieving the congestion of the
brain. 1t speedily arrests the inflammato-
ry action, which is marked by an increased
amount of urine. The albumen gradually
disappears, the dropsy subsidies and the pa
tent RECEIVERS. There is no standstill in
advanced Kidney Disease; those who are
afflicted with it are either constantly grow
ing better or worse. How important, there
fore, that this terrible disease be taken in
hand in time and treated with known
specific.