JAUNDICE. 43 



transformation of the contents of the alimentary canal, 

 and the development of large quantities of gas ; hence 

 flatulence is a common symptom in Jaundice, more par- 

 ticularly if preference be given to animal food when the 

 faecal matters emit a putrid odour. When, however, the 

 food consists principally of vegetables and amylaceous 

 substances, the evacuations yield no remarkable odour 

 and are of an acid nature, because a part of the carbo- 

 naceous food undergoes acid fermentation in its course 

 through the alimentary canal. 



Of much greater importance, however, in a diagnostic 

 point of view, and which should not be overlooked, are 

 the peculiar changes which take place in the colour which 

 the feeces are wont to exhibit in Jaundice, because it is 

 from the character of that excretion that we can most, 

 easily draw our conclusions as to the more or less 

 complete exclusion of bile from the intestine. When 

 the obstruction of the bile-ducts is complete, every trace 

 oH tile-pigment disappears from the evacuations; they 

 assume an ash or clay colour, which only varies accord- 

 to the nature of the food; their consistence is 

 increased, they become hard and firm, and the bowels 

 become sluggish. This tendency to constipation is so 

 very frequent in Jaundice that the assumption appears 

 < )iiip!( ;r-ly justified that it is owing to the absence of 

 bile in the bowels. Whether the bile favours evacuation, 

 by stimulating the peristaltic action of the intestines, 

 or }.y iiK Ti-asini: the natural secretion of the intestinal 

 jjlands, or, a^ain, by liquefying the ingesta, are questions 

 which hitherto have not been satisfactorily cleared up. 

 To my miinl, however, the chief office of the bile appears 

 to be, to act as an aperient ; in fact, "Nature's own 



