16 THE LIVER. 



lected condition of the bowels, or accumulations of 

 secretions, and fsecal matters, in the intestinal canal. 



The symptoms (says Copland) of impaired action of 

 the liver are not always very manifest ; and it is often 

 very difficult, or even impossible to determine, even 

 when these Symplons are well marked, whether or no 

 they depend merely upon diminished energy, or upon 

 change of the structure of the organ and of its appen- 

 dages, unless we obtain a correct history of the patient's 

 habits, and the nature of his former ailments. For in- 

 stance, when such a patient complains after having 

 enjoyed good health, or without having experienced, on 

 former occasions, either acute or chronic affections of the 

 liver or stomach of dyspeptic symptoms, with a costive 

 or irregular state of the bowels, the stools pale or d; 

 the urine dark or high-coloured; want of appetite", low- 

 ness of spirits, a foul and coated tongue, a bitter or nasty 

 taste of the mouth, a dark, sallow, or dingy ap;><-ar;m< 

 of the countenance, with fulness or tenderness in the he- 

 patic region, it may be fairly inferred that the functions of 

 the liver are only si/ t tj>/y <//,!>/.>/. Should, however, 

 the above train of symptoms occur in a patient who hus 

 for years lived intemperately, both in eating Mini drink- 

 ing, or who has resided for years in a hot climate, or 

 who has suffered from repeated attacks of the same dis- 

 order; the inferences are, that such impaired functions 

 may be associated with eon "termination, or some 



deep-seated organic l< turn of the substance of the 

 liver. 



TREATMENT. Allopathico.lly. Torpor of the liver is 

 usually treated by the various mercurial preparations, 

 saline and deobstruent aperients and taraxicum ; failing 



