. When the bladder and kidneys are in a weak and
diseased condition, incapable of efficient action, the bladder being
already unable to dispose of the diminished quantity of urine secreted,
it is simply outrageous practice to administer medicines calculated to
stimulate the kidneys to perform more work. By being thus forced, these
organs become seriously diseased. It would appear most unreasonable to
whip and spur a horse already jaded from overwork. Common sense would
dictate rest, which always does good; but, as the bladder is weak, the
doctor whips up the kidneys with drugs, thus endeavoring to force them
to secrete more urine, and thereby the poor, crippled bladder, which is
incapable of disposing of even the diminished quantity secreted, is
actually made to do more work in a diseased and feeble condition, than
it would perform in a sound, strong, and healthy state. The results of
this pernicious practice are _Bright's_ disease of the kidneys, cystitis
or inflammation of the bladder, and numerous other grave maladies.

* * * * *

KIDNEY DISEASE.

Diseases of the kidneys are generally very slow in their inception,
coming on gradually and manifesting no special symptoms of their
presence until they have assumed a formidable character. For this reason
they are the more dangerous. Simple derangement of the urinary secretion
is no evidence of disease of these organs, as changes in the color,
quantity and specific gravity of the urine are often produced by changes
of temperature, active or sedentary habits, mental emotion, and
sometimes by articles of diet, or drink, as well as by the use of
different drugs.

The existence of disease of the kidneys in the early stages can only be
positively determined by a microscopical and chemical examination of the
urine, which reveals to us the presence of casts, epithelia, blood, pus,
etc. The microscope informs us not only of the presence of disease, but
very often of the particular portion of the kidney in which it is
located, as well as of the stage which the disease has reached. We are
also aided by chemistry in determining the exact abnormal condition of
the kidneys by the detection of albumen, sugar, etc. These examinations,
by aid of the microscope and chemical re-agents, should never be
neglected by the physician. Without them his diagnosis, or judgment of
the patient's condition, is simply guess-work. With them he is enabled
to base