Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 1.djvu/80

 continually occurs, though the fact seems not to have been noticed, that a thin but firm buff, of a pink colour, presents, on slight inspection, an appearance as if no buff were formed. The shades of colour vary, yet are all such as to convey to those who are unaware of the fact, the impression of there being no buff. Yet, if the coagulum be cut through, the buff will be found well defined, and sufficiently firm to support, on a probe passed beneath it, the whole coagulum, the dark portion of this being of the usual loose texture.

The condition of the urine, too, demands more careful notice than it generally receives. In dropsical affections it promises to throw much light on the pathological state, and to furnish useful guidance in the exhibition of remedies. Dr. Bright has ably traced a connexion between coagulable urine and certain organic derangements of the kidneys; and his remarks have been amply confirmed by other eminent practitioners. There is reason to believe that functional disturbance alone of the kidneys may produce albuminous urine. These cases are inflammatory; the albumen is much more abundant than in those noticed by Dr. Bright; it varies with the progress of the disease, and disappears as this retires. In the progress of treatment, too, it furnishes valuable guidance for the due administration of remedies, such as no other indications yield. The object of treatment in all diseases, is to excite the constitutional powers to sanative efforts, just so far as is necessary for remedying the existing derangement. To carry the excitement beyond this point, is to waste power and do mischief. This is well