Bright's disease

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Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully-understood etiologies.

It is typically denoted by the presence of albumin (blood plasma) in the urine, and frequently accompanied by edema (tissue particulate).

These associated symptoms in connection with kidney disease were first described in 1827 by noted English physician Richard Bright. Since that time, it has been established that the symptoms, instead of being, as was formerly supposed, the result of one form of disease of the kidneys, may be dependent on various morbid conditions of those organs. Thus, the term Bright's disease, which is retained in medical nomenclature in honor of Dr. Bright, must be understood as having a strictly historical application.

The symptoms are usually of a severe nature. Back pain, vomiting and fever commonly signal an attack. Edema, varying in degree from slight puffiness of the face to an accumulation of fluid sufficient to distend the whole body, and sometimes severely restrict breathing, is a very common ailment. The urine is reduced in quantity, is of dark, smoky or bloody color, and exhibits to chemical reaction the presence of a large amount of albumin, while, under the microscope, blood corpuscles and casts, as above mentioned, are found in abundance.

This state of acute inflammation may severely limit normal daily activities, and if left unchecked, may lead to one of the chronic forms of Bright's disease. In many cases though, the inflammation is reduced, marked by increased urine output and the gradual disappearance of its albumen and other abnormal by-products. A reduction in edema and a rapid recovery of strength usually follows.

Acute Bright's disease was treated with local depletion, warm baths, diuretics, and laxatives. There was no successful treatment for chronic Bright's disease, though dietary modifications were sometimes suggested.

[edit] Well-known victims of Bright's Disease

• One of the best-known people to die from Bright's Disease was Emily Dickinson, the famous poet.
• George Etienne Cartier also died from Bright's Disease, but not before he rashly promised British Columbia a railway if it entered confederation with the Dominion of Canada.
• Scottish/Canadian explorer Sir Alexander MacKenzie, whose accomplishments included the first transcontinental crossing of North America north of Mexico and the discovery of the MacKenzie River, died of the disease in 1820.
• Baseball pitcher Larry Corcoran and Hall of Famer Ross Youngs died from Bright's disease.
• Bass Reeves, the first black commissioned United States deputy marshal west of the Mississippi River, died of Bright's disease in 1910.
• Billy Miske, the prominent middle, lightheavy and heavyweight boxer, who twice fought Jack Dempsey died from the disease in 1924.
• Kitty Kiernan, fiancée of assassinated Irish revolutionary leader and Chairman of the Provisional Government Michael Collins, also died from Bright's Disease.
• The 21st President of the United States, Chester Arthur, and the first wives of U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Alice Lee Roosevelt and Ellen Wilson, were Bright's victims.
• The chemist and two time Nobel laureate Linus Pauling was successfully treated for a severe form of Bright's disease by Thomas Addis.
• Australia's legendary batsman, Victor Trumper, died of Bright's Disease at the age of 37. Before Donald Bradman came along, Trumper was considered the finest Australian batsman, and was certainly the most popular. His funeral was attended by a crowd of 250,000.
• Powerful Tennessee Congressman Walter P. Brownlow, died of Bright's Disease in 1910.
• Winifred Holtby author of 'South Riding' was a victim of this disease
• Science-fiction/horror author H. P. Lovecraft, died from a combination of Bright's Disease and intestinal cancer.
• Father F.W. Faber ( who wrote the hymn 'Faith of Our Fathers')
• Vaudeville and silent film comedian, John Bunny, died of Bright's Disease in 1915 at the age of 51. Most of the 300-lb. actor's movies are lost to time, but his popularity and skill are apparent from his varied work schedule in the US and Europe.