tables and fruits.

The tendency to a "uric acid" constitution is hereditary, and is
prevalent among families who live high. Such should be continually on
the watch lest their diet should precipitate an attack. Water should be
freely drunk, and plenty of bathing with subsequent rubbing of the
muscles or massage is advisable.

Drugs are to be avoided as they often result in painful heart
affection, and besides do not strike at the real root of the disease.

Soda or lithia water may be taken either with or without milk. Brine
baths may be taken when practicable.

Urinary Troubles.--A healthy man usually evacuates about 30-40 ozs. of
urine daily, the excretion being greater in the winter than in the
summer, owing to the checked perspiration. The urine should be of a
pale straw colour and transparent. Where any irregularity in the urine,
either in quantity or quality, is suspected, it is wise to use soft
boiled or distilled water only, for drinking, and to take frequent sips
of it throughout the day, and especially early in the morning. Either
pure hot water, hot water and lemon juice, or whey, will help the
action of the kidneys when this is sluggish.

Where the bladder is irritated and painfully sensitive, a large hot
BRAN POULTICE (_see_) should be applied to the lower back. While the
patient lies on this, cold towels (_see_ Towels, Cold Wet) should be
changed over the bladder in front. While giving such treatment once or
twice a day, _rest_ must be taken, if a cure is to be obtained. For a
patient to say that rest cannot be had, is to say that cure is
impossible.

Where there is a tendency to stoppage of the urine, a warm sitz-bath
should be taken. The patient first sits in three inches deep of
comfortably hot water. More water at the same temperature is poured
gradually in at intervals, until it rises well up over the abdomen.
This will usually relieve even a bad case.

Treat with bran poultice and cold towels, as above recommended, after
the warm bath has given relief. It should be remembered that the _cold_
is the healing power, bracing the bladder and all its muscles and
vessels. Hence more than a slight cooling is needed. But the cooling is
only possible when good heat is kept up on the base of the back. This
treatment also cures the swelling of the bladder which often
accompanies restriction of urine.

Where a positive growth interferes with the urinary discharge, this may
often be actually _melted awa