232 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 



The liver of the Horse is but seldom at 

 first of itself affected with inflammation ; 

 though, when other great abdominal inflam- 

 mations take place, then this often par- 

 ticipates. 



With regard to the symptoms of this com- 

 plaint, they generally commence in appear- 

 ances not very unlike a slight attack of 

 inflammation of the bowels ; but unattended 

 with that rising up and laying down, which 

 attends the latter disease. Still the Horse is 

 apt frequently to turn his head to his right 

 side, evincing in consequence considerable 

 pain ; also, if you press his right side with 

 your hand, he will make a peculiar grunting 

 noise, evincing pain ; also, if you turn him 

 round in his stall, to the right hand, he will 

 do it with great difiiculty, plainly shewing the 

 pain he is labouring under. The extremities 

 are generally cold, considerable heaving at 

 the flank, the pulse is quick and hard, the 

 mouth is hot, attended with a yellowness of 

 the lining of the membrane covering the 

 same ; the nostrils and the conjunctiva of the 

 eye also participate in this yellow tinge ; these 

 appearances being one grand rule to lead to 

 the discovery of the disease the Horse is 

 labouring under. 



The disease is frequently attended with cos- 

 tiveness, and in consequence of the secreted 

 bile not passing off in its usual way, becomes 

 absorbed into the system ; and hence that yel- 

 lowness of the skin and finer membranes, I 

 spoke of jixst now. But, occasionally in this 

 disease, a morbid secretion is set up, and the 

 Horse's dung becomes loose, remarkbly black, 

 attended with an exceedingly disagreeable 

 smell. If the disease should terminate in vio- 



lent discharges of the above-named black foetid 

 stools, the Horse frequently becomes a victim 

 to the disease in about two or three days. 



If the extremities are not invariably cold, 

 and the weakness not extreme (which I am 

 sorry to say is too frequently the case) ; but if 

 the langour increase, and the extremities can- 

 not be got warm, and if the breath be hot and 

 disagreeable, these symptoms are decidedly 

 against the recovery of the Horse. 



For the cure of inflamed liver, we must 

 first bleed to the full extent of the powers of 

 the animal ; and if thought to be necessary, 

 repeat in five or six hours. Well blister the 

 sides of the Horse's belly ; if costiveness 

 should appear, back-rake, and throw up 

 clysters of salt and water, every three hours ; 

 then 



Take Blue pill - ... 2 drams. 

 Cape aloes - . . 3 do. 

 Form into a ball with honey ; 



And repeat every six hours, until it operates. 



In those cases where purging has com- 

 menced, the bleeding should be more moderate 

 and sparing, unless the inflammation should 

 run high ; in which case your discretion must 

 be brought into action, for in such cases a 

 repetition of it is less advisable here than in 

 the former instance. 



Take Linseed meal - - 2 ounces. 

 Oat meal - - - 2 do. 

 Catechu pul. - - 1 do. 



Make into good gruel with three pints of soft 

 water ; and give morning and night. If the 

 Horse should appear weak, and much debili- 

 tated, take the following : 



Cape aloes - - - 6 drams. 



Sulphate of iron - - 6 do. 



