Catarrhal Icterus {^Jaundice) in Dogs. 469 



Obstruction of the small intestine has proved a factor, partly 

 by the reflex irritation through the splanchnic nerves, and partly 

 through obstruction to the common bile and pancreatic duct. 



Walley records a case of obstruction of the cystic duct by 

 extravasation of blood in the gall bladder. 



Icterus not infrequently supervenes during canine distemper in 

 vi^hich the early gastric and duodenal irritation becomes an occa- 

 sion of the extension of the catarrhal infection to the common 

 bile duct. Even apart from this Trasbot has seen the majority 

 of cases ushered in by a gastro-duodenitis. In this connection 

 it is interesting to quote the remark of Pfuhl that 26 out of 27 

 per.sons using the foul baths of a given establishment contracted 

 icterus, while the soldiers bathing in another branch of the Elbe 

 entirely escaped. 



The fact that icterus usually sets in several days after such an 

 exposure, whether in man or dog, indicates a period of incuba- 

 tion, and thereby sustains the theory of infection. 



Symptoms. In the majority of cases, gastro-enteritis con- 

 stitutes the first step of this affection and the early symptoms are 

 characteristic of that disease. Frequent vomiting, at first of 

 food, and later of a glairy fluid which may be discolored by bile, 

 redness of the tongue, especially along its margins, bloodshot, 

 water}' eyes, lying down with the nose on the right side of the 

 abdomen, or standing with the abdomen tucked up and the back 

 arched, halting movements of the limbs, wincing if manipulation 

 is made of the spine or the epigastrium, elevated temperature, 

 accelerated pulse and breathing, anorexia and perhaps purging, 

 mark the onset. So long as the liver is unaffected prostration is 

 not a marked feature. 



Even when the liver is invaded, a fair measure of life and activity 

 may often b^ retained so long as the kidneys remain sound and 

 active. The bile pigments and salts, and the toxins generated 

 by the invading microbes are alike eliminated in large part in the 

 urine, and the profound poisoning and pro.stration of the nervous 

 system are in a measure prevented. In many cases therefore the 

 urine is .strongly jaundiced without much or any discoloration of 

 the mucosae and in such cases the prospects are usually good for 

 an early and complete recovery. It must not, however, be in- 

 ferred that such a happy issue will always follow, as the pigments 



