What Is Bright's Disease?; Its Curability (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. What Is Bright's Disease? Its CuraBility. Bright's Disease is generally understood to be an inflammation of the kidneys, either acute or chronic, and characterized by albuminous deposits in the urine. We do not deny the correctness of this so far as the kidneys are concerned, but it declares only the effect of a cause which must be sought for, ascertained and controlled before we can expect to place it amongst the curable diseases. Therefore to designate it as inflammation of the kidneys with albuminous deposits in the urine, does not give a correct idea of its character, magnitude or cause. The main object of this work is to call the attention of those suffering with this troublesome complaint to some new facts as to the cause, and afford them hope that, if the disease be treated in time, it will not be found incurable, as it is supposed to be by physicians generally. It is almost a universal opinion, in the profession, that the disease, in its chronic form, is incurable, and they are often too free and decided in giving an unfavorable prognosis as soon as they ascertain that a person has Bright's Disease. This belief also prevails with the community, and when confirmed by the physician the patient gives up all hope of recovery, which naturally depresses the vital energies, and thus hastens the progress of the disease. On the contrary, we do not regard it as right and proper for the physician to buoy up the patient with false hopes. We have known instances in the last two years where persons afflicted with Bright's Disease could have been cured, or, if not cured, life prolonged, where the attending physician insisted (when the patient contemplated change of treatment) that there was not the slightest hope for a cure. They asserting that the be...