DISEASES OF THE LIVER 303 



A full dose of morphia given subcutaneously will prevent straining. 

 The animal should not be left alone for twelve hours, and only a small 

 quantity of sloppy bran should be allowed during that period. Should 

 the bowel be again inverted, it must be promptly returned and the 

 morphia repeated. 



DISEASES OF THE LIVER 

 CONGESTION OF THE LIVER 



Definition. — When the vessels of the liver contain blood in excess 

 of the requirements for bile formation and the nutrition of the gland, it 

 is said to be congested. 



Causes. — Accumulation of blood here may result from various causes. 

 Anything that interferes with its outflow from the gland conduces to its 

 congestion. This is why it so frequently coexists with disease of the valves 

 of the heart, which, by obstructing the onward flow of blood, causes it to 

 "back" into the vessels of the liver and produce engorgement; the same 

 may be said of some cases of chronic lung-disease where the blood is inter- 

 rupted in its course from the right to the left side of the heart. The acute 

 form of the disease commonly results from overfeeding on a too stimulating- 

 diet, conjoined with insufficient work and too close stabling. It may also 

 arise in the course of an attack of influenza, strangles, and some other 

 febrile disorders. 



Symptoms are not always of such a pronounced character as to 

 render diagnosis easy to the inexperienced. The most pronounced indi- 

 cations of the disease are a yellow discoloration of the membranes lining 

 the eye, the nose, and the mouth, and also the. urine. The bowels are 

 rather constipated, or unduly relaxed, and the faeces are foul -smelling. 

 The appetite is more or less impaired, and the animal is dull and heavy 

 and becomes prematurely fatigued. The tongue is furred, and the mouth 

 clammy and emits a sour, unpleasant odour. The pulse and temperature- 

 will be increased in proportion to the severity of the attack, and in acute 

 cases deep pressure applied to the right side induces pain. Sometimes 

 there is a tendency to flatulence and an enlargement of the belly. 



Treatment. — With the object of relieving the organ of its excessive 

 amount of blood, purgatives are generally employed, and of these the 

 salines are preferable, and may be given in repeated doses over a con- 

 siderable period. The sulphates of magnesia and soda are amongst the 

 most serviceable and safe of the class, and many horses will take them 

 either in the drinking-water or mixed with the food. Oily aperients are 



