166 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



2. Yellows (Jaundice). 



This is, probably, the most common disease of the liver. 



Causes. — Inflammation, stoppage of the passage in the 

 tube leading from the liver to the bowels by gall stones, 

 abscess, in fact any disorder of the liver which may prevent 

 it from performing its function of extracting the bile from 

 the blood will cause yellows or jaundice. Such weakening 

 diseases as influenza or distemper may leave this organ in 

 such a state as to bring about the same result. 



Symptoms. — There is a dullness and loss of appetite. 

 The bowels are constipated and the manure is of a dark clay 

 color. The lining of the mouth and that of the eyes is quite 

 yellow, thus giving rise to the name yellows or jaundice. 



Treatment. — Turning out to grass in the spring of the 

 year is often all that is necessary to effect a cure. Should 

 this be impracticable and the animal be in good condition, 

 give: 



Bitter Aloes 4 drams. 



Calomel J^ dram. 



Put the calomel on the tongue with a spoon and wash 

 it down with a drench made by mixing the bitter aloes in a 

 pint of lukewarm water. It is sometimes a good plan to mix 

 it in the form of a ball, instructions for which are fully given 

 with the receipts in the latter part of this book : 

 Follow with : 



Iodide of Potassium % pound. 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre x / 2 pound. 



Mix well together and give a teaspoonful three times a 

 day. The feed should be soft and nourishing — boiled oats, 

 scalded chop stuff, or bran — containing plenty of boiled flax- 

 seed. Roots — carrots, etc. — make a good addition to this 

 diet. This treatment if carefully followed and accompanied 

 by a little gentle exercise each day generally effects a cure. 



3. Bile Stones (Biliary Calculi). 



Horses are not so frequently afflicted with this disease 

 as man. Bile stones, however, may exist in large numbers, 

 to such an extent as to stop the flow of bile from the liver, 

 thus forcing it back to be again absorbed by the blood. Jaun- 

 dice is the result. 



Causes. — The formation of bile stones usually results 

 from high living with little exercise. 



