Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-24

genous substance eliminated by the kidneys, the
poisonous factor, for time accepted until en-
perimentay inclined Investigators showed that urea
itself is comparatively innocuous The name, there
fore, is not significant OF the nature OF the
trouble than the name Of rheumatism is Of joint dis
ease Rheuma means catarrh, a flow.
Uric acid is normally present In the blood. rs is
urea in very small quantities 1t is derived from foods
Of heterogeneous character-meat, eggs wheat flour
milk, fish, beans, peas. etcand also from the oXda
ton OF the cells of the body.
Kidney stone is usually concretion Of uric acid
salts and other material 1t is capable of causing
urcma. but uric acid and uric acid combinations nave
nothing to do with uremia in themselves. IL kidney
stone does produce urema it is by causing serious dis
ease of the kidney.
Dieting other treatment directed toward removing
uric acid therefore little no effect upon con
di,ions in which uremia is likely to develop.
Unfortunately the general idea prevails that
kidney disease announces itself by pain ache in
the back and by obvious disturbance Of kidney
function. This is absolutely wrong Rarely, if ever
does Brght's dsease--chronc nephritis. chronic kid
ney dsease-,roduce backache or any particular dis:
turbance Of kidney function That notion Is fostercd
be in it.
In fact kidney disease usually produces symptoms
which the victim attributes to anything and everything
else but the Kidneys There is falling off IN general
health run down condition., shortness of breath
on moderate cAertion insomnia. loss of weight. di.
gestre disturbances-most victims OF BrShts disease
TRY" numerous alleged dyspepsia or indigestion
remedies before they visit doctor. There may be
cold that hangs on, obstinate bronchitis annoy
ing headaches or in fact any one or more of the
various manifestations OF uremia How easy accuse
the liver the occupation the climate Worry and other
circumstances.
Alcohol is An important n not the most important
single OF kidney disease in America. Overeat.
Ing is the other factor which rivals alcohol for first
place. Often the two go together the one stimulat.
lug and abetting the other. Prosperity newly found,
leads but to the grave. Jack London according his
written word. drank tremendously for some years.
He had will power such as not drnker in thou
sands commands, and he managed 10 break the habit
he told But not before it had broken him
Other causes OF Brghts disease attacks OF the
acute epidemic fevers and pneumonia Typhoid scarlet
fever, pneumonia even chicken pox may tax the
kidneys beyond endurance and leave permanent
damage Of secreting tissue All acute infections neces
sary throw burden the kidneys, excessive
amount Of work required to eliminate the germ
posons. the toxins, which flood the blood.
Whether tobacco enters into the question are
not certain. Tobacco certainly tends TO raise blood
OF painful and perhaps serious heart disease.
Since Brights disease is intrnscaly arteria de.
generation may reasonably consider excessive use
Of tobacco probable cause.
Overwork. business anXetieS and domestic worry
have been given prominent place in the causation
kidney disease by eminent authorities. Yet there is
grave doubt that mere work, physical or mental, no
matter how hard. Injuries health 1t isn't hard
work that kills. 1t is worry. Worry is poison Worry
is emotion which exhausts the adrenal gland sys-
tenn and encourages degenerative changes in the ar
terics, and necessarily in those situations where "end
arteries that is to say, minute vessels are
of vital importance-in the heart WALL in the brain I'm
the kidneys.
The idea that hard work alone cont, ributcs 10 the
alarming mortality rate OF middle age oda y-of which
Brights disease is perhaps the chief clements
scarcely tenablc The older medical authorities did
not clearly distinguish between the influence Of hard
work and that Of had habits which ccompanicd it
indulgence in alcohol bracer, as a stimmlant 10
relieve the sensation of fatigue and excessive use OF
tobacco or even drugs for similar purposes.