90 JAUNDICE. 



can however be appreciated, that in a variety of ways irritation and ex- 

 citement can induce changes in the system, sufficient to give rise to the 

 disease under consideration. 



Symptoms. — The signs in the earlier stage are vague and confusing. 

 The manner of the animal changes, he becoming dull, languid, and averse 

 to exertion. The reabsorbed bile appears to exert a narcotic influence 

 on the nervous system, producing dulness, a disposition to sleep, a fall in 

 the pulse, and a torpid condition in the functions of the body generally. 

 The nose, mouth, and breath are hot and dry; the abdomen hard, and back 

 arched. The coat loses its glossy look and becomes dry and staring. 



As the bile exerts its influence on circulation, the respirations become 

 less frequent. In some cases a disposition to constantly scratch is noted. 

 The appetite disappears, thirst becomes excessive, and vomiting frequent; 

 the matter expelled being greenish and at times in extreme cases bloody. 

 Pain is at times evident and colicky in character. 



When tenderness and pain both exist in the region of the stomach, it is 

 evidence of a low type of inflammation of the mucous membrane lining 

 the stomach and upper part of the intestine. 



Generally the bowels are constipated, but not always as diarrhoea some- 

 times occurs. The appearance of the discharges affords evidence as to 

 whether the obstruction is complete or partial. 



In the former the passages are clay-colored or ashy, while in the latter 

 they are nearer the color in health. A peculiar fetid odor is noted in 

 discharges devoid of bile. The appearance of the yellow tint dispels all 

 doubts as to diagnosis if the other symptoms have proved insufficient. 

 The mucous membranes first show the coloring; the skin then is rapidly 

 affected. The urine in jaundice is loaded with bile, and when voided 

 leaves a decided stain. 



Nutrition for a time may be but a little affected ; then emaciation is rapid. 

 When the disease progresses to a fatal termination the pulse falls, the 

 extremities grow cold, the skin clammy, and death ensues. 



Diagnosis. — The appearance of the yellowish tint renders the diagnosis 

 positive. To determine the cause in individual cases is far from easy. 

 The symptoms in the early stage of the attack, viz., loss of appetite, vom- 

 iting, and tenderness, indicate a possible inflammation of the mucous 

 membrane of the stomach and upper part of the intestine. Sometimes 

 gall-stones form in the gall-bladder, and in passing down into the intestine 

 become lodged and obstruct the canal ; pain of the severest character is 

 the evidence of this accident. 



Worms sometimes cause obstruction, but they with certain other causes 

 can only be determined at the autopsy. 



Prognosis . — The gravity as well as the symptoms depend on the morbid 



