CHRONIC INTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS. (Sclerosis or Cirrhosis of the Kidneys)
Categories:
Kidney and Bladder
This is met with, (a) as a sequence of the large white kidneys forming the
so-called pale granular or secondary contracted kidney; (b) as an independent
primary affection; as asequence of arterio-sclerosis.
Causes. The primary form is chronic from the onset, and is a slow
creeping degeneration of the kidney substance, and in many respects an
anticipation of the gradual changes which take place in the organ in
extreme old age. Families in which the arteries tend to degenerate early
are more prone to this disease. Doctor Osler says: "Among the better
classes in this country Bright's disease is very common and is caused more
frequently by over-eating than by excesses in alcohol."