THE YELLOWS, OR JAUNDICE; 55 ' 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE YELLOWS, OR JAUNDICE-. . 



Tins is a far more common disease than the last, and almost as 

 dangerous, because, although it is not marked by any acute symp- 

 toms, or accompanied by much fever, it creeps on insidiously, and 

 fastens itself on the constitution, beyond the power of medicine to 

 eradicate it; or it is the consequence and the proof of some disease 

 of the liver, which is equally uiihcult to cure. It may be produced 

 by inflammation of the liver, or too great secretion of the bile, or 

 stoppage of the vessels through w^hich the bile should flow into the 

 bowelsT If its passage is obstructed, it is thrown back again upon 

 the liver, and there taken up by the absorbents, and carried into the 

 circulation, and communicates a yellow colour to the blood ; and as 

 the blood, by means of the capillary vessels, is carried to every point 

 and part of the body, so the yellow hue of the disease spreads over 

 the whole of the frame. 



This obstruction is sometimes effected by the undue thickness of 

 the bile; sometimes by hardened bile or gall-stones ; and in not a 

 few cases it is caused by a greater secretion of bile than can find its 

 way into the intestines, and which, consequently, accumulates in the 

 liver, until it is taken up by the absorbents, and carried into the frame 

 in the manner that has just been described. 



At the beginning of the disease there is considerable dulness and 

 languor, and loss of appetite. The cow wanders about by herself, or 

 is seen standing by the side of the hedge or the fence in a most 

 dejected manner. The quantity of milk is generally lessened ; the 

 bowels are costive ; and the fore-teeth are sometimes loose : milch 

 cows are more subject to it than oxen, and particularly in the latter 

 end of the year. Sadden change of weather frequently gives rise to 

 it, and especially if the animal has previously exhibited symptoms 

 of ill-health. 



The treatment and the hope of cure depend upon the causes and 

 degree of the disease, and which should be most carefully ascertained. 

 If it has followed symptoms of fever, probably indicative of inflam- 

 mation of tiie liver, it may be diflicult to remove, because it is an 

 indication of the ravages which disease has made in the organ. 

 Should the pulse be strong as well as quick, moderate bleeding will 

 be judicious, but not otherwise. The bowels should then be freely 

 opened by means of the purg-ing drink (No. 2, p. 47), and kept open 

 by half-doses of it administered as occasion may require. In this 

 disease, oftener than in any other to which cattle are subject, sto- 

 machics are useful to rouse the digestive organs to their proper tone 

 and power. Mingled w'ith them, or at other periods of the day, medi- 

 cines rnay be given which are supposed to have a direct effect on the 



