The regimen in these cases is chiefly dictated by the primary disease that causes the congestion. As a rule, when passive congestion of the kidneys exists, digestion is also slow and imperfect, often because of congestion of the organs of digestion. Consequently only the simplest and most digestible foods should be eaten. Diuresis should be promoted, which is always best accomplished by given water copiously. The kidneys are not infrequently edematous as well as congested.

While there is little danger of uremia developing in uncomplicated cases of passive congestion of the kidneys, a nephritis following the congestion may cause it. To avert nephritis the role that irritating foods and the products of fermentation within the intestines play in producing it must be remembered. For this reason the bowels should not only be well emptied, but care should be taken to keep them so, and to give the patient only those foods that are not irritating to the kidneys. In severe cases, and when there is danger of nephritis, an exclusive milk diet is the best. Medical treatment must be resorted to in order to relieve passive congestion. In most cases the heart must be strengthened by appropriate tonics. Complete rest is an essential element of treatment.

Sometimes a brief period of starvation (drinking water may be permitted) and catharsis relieves renal congestion more promptly than any other form of treatment, especially is this true when there also is passive congestion of the liver.