This disorder is confined entirely to the kidneys. In its final analysis it is nothing more than consumption or destruction of the kidneys by thrusting upon them a greater amount of waste matter than they are capable of throwing off, the result being (1) irritation; (2) ulceration; (3) suppuration or consumption.

Bright's Disease - The Cause

The causes of Bright's disease are overingestion of food, especially sweets, starches and meats; the taking of stimulants and narcotics, and the consequent failure of the body to eliminate the poisons or waste accumulating therefrom.

Bright's Disease - The Symptoms

The symptoms of Bright's disease are scant amount of urine, heavily laden with solids and fatty granules, while leucocytes and even red blood-corpuscles are often shown, especially in advanced cases. Dull pains in the small of the back, and a general weakening in the lumbar regions are common symptoms.

Prevention of Bright's disease by correct feeding

Bright's Disease - The Remedy

It has been popularly supposed, and announced from many alleged sources of authority, that there is no remedy for this disease, and from the standpoint of Materia Medica this probably is correct, but from the standpoint of the natural scientist there is a remedy. However, Bright's disease, like all others herein discussed, can better be prevented than cured, and under a correct dietetic regimen, with plenty of exercise and fresh air, the kidneys, like every other organ of the body, will perform their normal functions.

When Bright's disease has made its appearance, the first thing to be ascertained is the character of the diet and the general habits of eating and drinking during the previous two or three years; secondly, the occupation or habits of exercise, especially exposure to fresh air and sunshine.

Bright's Disease - The Treatment

A very restricted diet should be observed, consisting largely of the following:

Fresh vegetables Green 6alads Subacid fruits The fine cereals -

(Such as barley and rice) Milk and eggs - (limited quantity)

Value of the Italian pine nut

All sweets taken should be in the form of sweet fruits. (See Lesson VIII (Foods Of Vegetable Origin), p. 313). An abundance of nuts should also be included. There is no food known to science that is so beneficial in cases of Bright's disease as the Italian pine (Protoid) nut. In severe cases, if the patient could live entirely upon this nut, supplemented by one or two varieties of fruit, and a few fresh vegetables, it would be highly beneficial.

Suggestions for diet in different seasons.

If the patient is under treatment in the spring and summer, as many green plants and fresh sweet fruits as possible should be taken, with only a limited quantity of milk, eliminating cereal starch entirely.

In the fall and winter, the many varieties of apples and autumn vegetables may be taken in liberal quantities.

General Suggestions For Bright's Disease

In the majority of cases it is well to first put the patient on a short fast of about twenty-four hours, and then begin the diet with articles containing a liberal quantity of cellulose, such as the entire wheat, boiled; celery, turnip, or cabbage cooked in casserole dish.

Keep the bowels open by the use of wheat bran, or grapes, if they are in season, swallowing skins, seeds and pulp.

As in all sympathetic disorders, an abundance of pure, cool water should be taken and as much time as possible should be spent in the open air and sunshine.

Care should be taken to limit the diet to the minimum so that the excretory organs can easily eliminate all waste matter, and so that there may be no further poisonous, accumulations.

In Cases Of Bright's Disease, Omit

Drugs

Flesh of every kind

Intoxicants

Rich desserts

Sweets

Eat

Abundance of nuts (Italian pine nut)

Fine cereals - barley, rice

Fresh vegetables

Green salads

Limited quantity of milk and eggs

Sweets in form of fruit-sugar, such as dates, figs, raisins (limited quantity)

Subacid fruits

Wheat bran with evening meal

The diet should be somewhat restricted.

Drink an abundance of pure water.