CHAPTER VIII. CURE OF THE ACUTE DISEASE IN THE KIDNEYS.
INFLAMMATION in the kidneys is of an acute nature; for the
veins passing from the liver to the kidneys are inflamed at the
same time, and with these the liver; for these veins are not
very long, but are very broad, so as to give the kidneys the
appearance of being suspended near the liver. But suppression
of urine takes place along with the inflammation, thereby
contributing to the intensity of the inflammation; for the
cavity of the kidneys is filled by the overflow of the urine
which fails to escape. The same happens also with stones,
provided one larger than the breadth of the ureters be formed
in the kidneys: it then becomes seated there, and, not passing
through, it occasions a stoppage of the urine. But we will
treat of the formation of calculi among the chronic diseases;
how they may either be prevented from forming, or how they
may be broken when formed. With regard to heat and obstruction,
such of these affections as prove quickly fatal will be
described by me in this place.
Whether it be impaction of stones, or whether it be inflammation,
we must open the vein at the elbow, unless a particular
period of life prove an obstacle, and blood must be taken in a
full stream and in large quantity. For not only are inflammations
alleviated by evacuation, but also impacted stones are
slackened by the evacuation of the vessels, and thus the stones
escape during the passing of the urine. Then the parts are
to be relaxed by bathing them with oil of must or of privet,
and by fomentations and cataplasms. The herb southernwood,
the schœnus, and calamus aromaticus, should form the
ingredients of the cataplasms. Then we are to apply
the cupping-instrument over the kidneys, in the loins, more
especially if the evacuation from this place has been of service.
The bowels are to be softened by lubricating clysters, rather of
a viscid than of an acrid nature, such as the juiees either of
mallows or of fenugreek. Sometimes, also, diuretic medicines
are to be given before food, such as are described respecting
the liver, and also similar food of easy digestion: for in such
cases indigestion is bad. Milk is a most excellent article, especially
that of an ass; next, of a mare; even that of an ewe or a
goat is useful, as being a kind of milk. If, then, they be free
of fever, it is better also to prescribe the bath; but if not, they
are to be placed in a sitz-bath formed of the decoction of herbs,
filling the vessel up to their navel. But if it be turned to
suppuration, what cataplasms and other medicines we are to
use have formerly been laid down by us on many occasions.
But, if the stone stick, we are to use the same fomentations
and cataplasms, and try to break the stones with medicines
taken in the form of drink. The simples are the herbs waterparsnip
and
prionitis,
1 boiled with oil or edible vinegar, and
the juice of it taken for drink: the compound ones are, that
named from Vestinus, that from vipers and the reptile the
skink, and such as from experience appear to be best. Gestation
and succussion are calculated to promote the movement
and protrusion of the calculi; for the passage of calculi into
the bladder is very painful. But if the stones drop out, the
patients become free from pain, which they have not been
accustomed to be, not even in their dreams; and, as if escaped
from inevitable evils, they feel relieved both in mind and in
body.
