The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English; or, medicine simplified / by R.V. Pierce.

  • Pierce, R. V. (Ray Vaughn), 1840-1914.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English; or, medicine simplified / by R.V. Pierce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library at Emory University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University.

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    Bright's disease, when fully established, is characterized by degeneration of the kidneys. When submitted to examination after death by this disease, these organs present various ap- pearances. The disease has been classified as desquamative, waxy, or fatty degeneration of the kidneys, all of which are characterized by the presence of albumen in the urine. The particular variety can be determined before death only by a careful microscopical examination of the urine. As to the causes of kidney disease, it may be said that any thing which gives rise to a greater or less degree of congestion of the kidneys may induce either a temporary albuminous con- dition of the urine or true Bright's disease of the kidneys. Sup- pression of perspiration, from exposure to cold and wet, want of cleanliness, deficiency of nutritious food, disease of the liver, certain poisons in the system, such as that of scarlet fever, measles, erysipelas or diphtheria, excessive mental labor or worry, may all occasion an albuminous urine and finally result in Bright's disease, but- of all the causes which produce this disease, none is so prominent as intemperance. A scrofulous diathesis strongly predisposes to the disease, and chronic disease of the kidneys also frequently follows acute rheumatism and the practice of masturbation. In some instances, the chronic form of Bright's disease follows an acute attack, but it is more frequently developed slowly and insidiously. The Symptoms of this fatal malady generally appear so gradually that they excite but little or no concern until it has reached its more advanced and dangerous stages. Frequently, a puffy, watery, or flabby condition of the face, particularly under the eyes, is the first symptom noticed, and the patient may observe that his urine is diminished in quantity. This secretion is sometimes abundant, but generally more scanty than in health and generally of a low specific gravity. The countenance is frequently pale and bloodless, which, taken with the dropsical condition of the system, and the constant albu- minous condition of the urine, points the expert specialist to Bright's disease of the kidneys. Various circumstances and conditions niay give rise to the temporary presence of albumen in the urine, and, although albumen may be temporarily absent from the urine even when Bright's disease exists, yet this is not