The National tribune., 1891-12-17

I Ous-Ss u nary course 81 human events, men
who have passed the meridian OF
life are apt 10 be troubled with urinary afcc-
tions. The prostate tesnlSrges. and Ob5tructing
the free evacuation Of the bladder, gives rise
20 Inflammation Of this viscus
Men who have been subject to hardship and
exposure, rheumatism, malaria, etc. appear
more liable 10 the development Of this trouble
at that time Of life than others; hence, in the
natural order OF tbinEs the survivors Of the
war are moro apt TO be afflicted in this way
than other men; so, Zoo, are diseases Of the
kidneys most likely 20 be found among sol
ders.
find soldiers complain great deal of pain
and lameness i'm the small Of the back, and in
filing claims they very frequently refer 10 this
as kidney disease" when in reality 1t is
rheumatic affection instead-a sort Of lumbagO.
Examination of tho urine in such cases,
therefore, reveals nothing wrong with the
kidneys, except perhaps an excessive acidity
of the urine. 4 complaint referred 10 in my
letter on rheumatism in The NATIONAL TRIB-
USE of Nov. 10
In no complaint Is sensitivoness to cold moro
intensely developed than in affections of tho
kidneys aud bladder, and as Winter with its
vicissitudcs is now upon rs. 4 consideration Of
the subject Is not unreasonable.
Anyone at all liable 20 this disease, whether
associated with enlarged prostate or not should
exercise every possible precaution TO prevent
We
should bo avoided by all means. Getting
chilled through will do almost as much harm
rs catching cold.
have had cases under my care progressing
nicely that would have relapse on catching a
slight cold, getting the feet wet, or becoming
chilled, that they would be nearly or quite
as bad a. at first. ] always for these reasons,
prefer 20 treat such cases in Summer, but they
usually need treatment most in cold weather.
A flannel garment constructed similar TO a
pair of bathing or swimming drawers inclOsing
the lower part OF the body, hips and upper
part Of the thighs, affords protection against
these rolapSes Of considerable Importance.
Except the disease has become advanced so
that structural changes in the bladder have
taken place, and in the absence of enlargement
Of the prostate gland, or urethral structure,
the complaint varies greatly huetuating be-
tween better aud worse, so that pensions granted
for this disability are usually rated very low,
even when in reality they cause more suffering
than some other affections that receive higher
rating. One reason for this is the fact that
those who suffer from sgch complaints conceal
it from the public, and are thus lacking in
evidence.
Another reason Is that at the time an ex-
animation is made the urine may be increased
by the temperature, iOltiBg IN travelling, etc,
so that IL appears nearly hatural, or at least
may not present any material deviation from
the normal that is diagnOstic Then, if the
sounds pass readily IN exploring the urethra,
the Surgeon sees little or no disability upon
which 10 rate. when on tho morrow or next
week the soldier may need medical attendance.
The existence Of a structure by Obstructing
the free flow Of urine Is apt to give rise 10 in
fammation of the bladder: but a private dis
ease being the most fruitful cause Of structure,
a structure thus caused and its consequences,
would not be considered a pensiOnable dis
ability.
IL is true structure may be due 10 other
causes, as external injuries the improper use
ofinstrumentsl during fepars, injuries, paralysis.
etc, and under such circumstances would be
legitimate disability, aud its consequences pen.
souable.
Enlargement Of the prostate gland is very
apt to occur after a man has passed the merid-
ian Of life rs a conc0mitant Of age: but men
who have been subject TO considerable ex-
pOsure earlier in life. or the careless use Of the
catheter 10 relieve the bladder when, for any
cause, the urine could not BE- voluntarily voideh,
are especially liable TO II. Soldiers sitting or
lying on the damp, cold ground, are thus rem
dered liable 20 this form Of trouble while
Rrtillerymen and cavalrymen, from the jar and
jolt Of the saddle or cti-son. are. more than
others, likely TO suffer from enlarged prostate
aud its results.
Urine in a healthy state Is slightly acid. but
an excess Of acid renders il irritating 10 the
mucous membrane OF the bladder aud urethra.
la some cases the acid will crystalizo into a
brck-dust deposit, which cuts or scratches the
tissues through which il passes.
To correct this condition often affords much
relief To The inllamed structures, and often,
too. prevents the development of rheumatism.
The use Of common baking soda mot baking
pOwderl teaspopnfnl in glass of water four
times day, will usually neutralizo this excess
Of acid in the urine temporarily and afford re-
lief Acetate Of potash in 20 TO 30 grain doses
in water four or five times q day is also capable
OF doing this, and. acting as a diuretic, affords
additional relief 10 the bladder.
Frequent warm baths rendered alkaline by
ad ing soda 10 water taken at bedtime, so as TO
avoid danger Of catching cold, is also all eX-
celent adjunct 90 other treatment.
Three OF four grains Of the carbonate Of
lithia three times day. taken in some carbo-
mated water, - useful remedy, and can DO
continued for considerable time.
When the urine is alkaline. there Is apt to
be a dirty-whiie deposit, aud when left stand
ing soon becomes offensive, sometimes giving
Of a strong Odor of ammonia.
In such cases 10 drops Of dilute nitrO-muri-
attic acid in water before meals is beneficial.
la these latter cases starchy food is to he
avoided; but in those in which the brick dust
is deposited, lean meats aud whites of eggs
should be avoided, used sparingly.
remedy that have great confidence in in
these cases IS a strong tea, drunk freely, Of
triticum repens or dog grass" or couch
grass" as 10 is also called. IL should be fresh
and can generally can be got at any frst-class
drug store. IL may be used in connection with
the lthia mentioned above. ! have treated
this disease very extensively. and / know Of
no other remedy Of 50 much benefit as the tTiti-
cum when procured fresh aud taken freely.
If the urine becomes 50 full Of mucus that il
will not flow freely, or adheres to the sides of
"A vessel in which it j. left standing few hours
| have used an injection Of asepsin, one grain
in four ounces Of warm water, repeated daily,
with advantage.
IL there is structure, 10 innst be overcome by
mechanical or surgical means. If the prostate
ob-tructs the tow in addition TO the means
above described, a soft rubber cathetcr should
be used at least once day 10 completed empty
the bladder. | have lately discovered remedy
which / think is capable of overcoming this
enlargement Of this gland. as we'll as all the
results that arise from IT.. When become sat
sfed Of its efficacy will advise its use. Thus
far 10 has succeeded beyond my expectations.
clinging vine, known in various parts Of the
country as cleaycTs, is somewhat similar 10 tho
triticum, but more astriHgent. often use them
together, using less Of tile cleaVers than Of the
other.
They can be got almost anywhere in the form
Of fluid extracts. but this il not as good rs the
infusion. Especially Is this tho case with the
| tTiticum repens.
The free use Of watermelons or a tea Of their
seeds IS also beneficial in such cases. OF eOurse