ACUTE CONGESTION OR HYPEREMIA OF THE KIDNEYS
Categories:
Kidney and Bladder
This occurs at the
beginning of acute nephritis; in acute infectious diseases, after taking
turpentine, chlorate of potash, cantharides, carbolic acid, alcohol, etc.;
after one kidney has been removed.
Kidney. The kidney is enlarged, dark red, while the covering is very
tight (tense). The urine is scanty, and there is increased specific
gravity (normal is 1015 to 1020) and contains albumin and a few casts.
Treatment. The cause should always be removed if possible. Rest in bed,
and as a diet use only milk; if the congestion is bad, use dry cupping
over the kidneys and inject large quantities of hot normal salt solution
in the bowels. Hot fomentations of wormwood or smartweed are of benefit.
If you can get the patient into a sweat the congestion will be somewhat
relieved by it.