THE LIVER. 891 



If, in addition to flip pauses described above, the organs of digestion, 

 as is frequently the case, are also 'out of order, laxative diet, with linseed 

 tea, in lieu of water, and a slight dose of linseed oil, will be useful. If 

 the animal will not take linseed tea freely, he must be allowed water. 

 If the water which he has been drinking is hard, it should be exposed to 

 the sun and air for a considerable period, or boiled. Clay mixed with 

 the water given to drink sometimes acts most beneficially. 



Iodide of potassium and iodine have a very marked and beneficial 

 effect in this disease. Of the former one drachm, or of the latter half a 

 drachm, may be given daily. Iodide of iron in doses of one drachm 

 daily also answers well. Iodine and its compounds should be given be- 

 tween meals. If given immediately before or after a meal, it combines 

 with the starchy matters of the food, and is rendered comparatively inert. 

 Lastly, if the horse has been dosed with condition balls, they must be 

 discontinued. 



As great prostration accompanies this disease, a liberal diet should be 

 allowed. In addition to good sweet oats pale malt and boiled peas may 

 be given. High dried nialt is very objectionable, as it acts on the urinary 

 organs. If the disease continues for a length of time, the patient will 

 lose condition, and in such cases vegetable and mineral tonics will be 

 needed. 



In most cases, with proper management and attention, the attack will 

 pass off in a few days ; but great care must be taken to guard against 

 recurrence of the cause which produced it. The disease in general is 

 only serious when neglected. 



CHAPTER 56. 

 THE LIVER. 



805. Situation and Functions of the Liver. 806. Diseases of the Liver. 

 807. Causes of temporary Functional derangements. 808. Symptoms of 

 slight derangements. 809. Treatment. 810. Congestion of the Liver. 

 811. Treatment. 812. Inflammation of the Liver. Acute Hepatitis. 

 813. Treatment. 814. Organic disease of the Liver. 815. Treatment. 



805. Situation and Functions of the Liver. 



The Liver is the largest gland in the body. The greater part of it is 

 situated within the short ribs on the right side. A small portion lies on 

 the left side, and also in the epigastrium. The outer covering of the 

 liver is derived from the peritoneum, within which is a cellulo-vascular 

 lining, called the capsule of Glisson. 



The chief function of the Liver is the secretion of bile, a yellow, alksi- 



