BRIGHT'S DISEASE, a term in medicine applied to a class of diseases of the kidneys (acute and chronic nephritis) which have as their most prominent symptom the presence of albumen in the urine, often accompanied by dropsy. These associated symptoms in connection with kidney disease were first described in 1827 by Dr. Richard Bright, but instead of being, as was formerly sup posed, the result of one form of disease of the kidneys, may be dependent on various morbid conditions (see KIDNEY DISEASES). Hence the term Bright's disease now has a generic application.
The symptoms of acute Bright's disease are severe. Pain in the back, vomiting and fever commonly usher in the attack. Dropsy, varying in degree from slight puffiness of the face to an accumu lation of fluid sufficient to distend the whole body, and to occasion serious embarrassment to respiration, is a very common accom paniment. The urine is reduced in quantity, is of dark, smoky or bloody colour, and exhibits to chemical reaction the presence of a large amount of albumen, while, under the microscope, blood corpuscles and casts are found in abundance. Such a condition may supervene upon scarlatina or exposure to cold during drunk enness.
Acute inflammation may by its severity destroy life, or terminate in a chronic form of Bright's disease. On the other hand arrest of the inflammatory action frequently occurs, marked by increased amount of the urine, gradual disappearance of its albumen and other abnormal constituents, subsidence of the dropsy and rapid recovery of strength. Nevertheless recovery is rarely complete and relapses are common.
In the treatment of acute Bright's disease, good results are often obtained from local depletion, warm baths and the careful employ ment of diuretics and purgatives. Chronic Bright's disease is much less amenable to treatment, but efforts to spare the kidneys by restriction of nitrogenous food and by residence in a warm, dry climate (e.g., Egypt) are indicated. (See KIDNEY, DISEASES OF, and ALBUMINURIA.)