428 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



JAUNDICE. 



Jaundice, or as it is very commonly called, ' the yellows,' 

 is probably the most common of all conditions depending 

 upon a disordered state of the liver. It is very common 

 amongst highly-fed and pampered dogs. It is not by any 

 means a rare condition among horses. It can scarcely be re- 

 garded as a disease, as it is more properly a symptom of some 

 of the diseases of the liver. It is, however, very generally 

 spoken of and regarded as an independent disease of itself. 

 It is often seen occurring as a sequel to debilitating diseases, 

 as influenza, strangles, etc., and may be due to a stoppage 

 of the bile ducts, biliary calculi, etc. It may also occur as a 

 symptom of torpidity of the liver. The principal symptom 

 is the unnatural yellowness of the skin, and all of the 

 visible mucous membranes. Any disease of the liver may 

 give rise to this jaundiced appearance, as over stimulation 

 of the gland, by feeding largely, and giving insufficient 

 exercise. Suppression or non-secretion of bile, in conse- 

 quence of inflammation or functional inactivity of the gland 

 itself, or the presence of any obstruction preventing passage 

 of the bile through the ducts, may result in absorption of 

 a portion of colouring matter, which, entering the blood, is 

 distributed throughout the body, giving rise to the charac- 

 teristic yellowish tinge. The urine is usually highly 

 coloured with bile, the coat dry and staring, the animal 

 exhibits considerable dulness and lassitude, and in the dog 

 the tongue is furred, the breath ofl'ensive, etc. There 

 are tests by means of which the practitioner can ascertain 

 to a certainty whether the condition is caused by obstruc- 

 tion of the ducts, or is due to functional inactivity of the 

 gland. Harley's test is as follows : Take of acid sulphuric 

 fort. 5i., loaf sugar a sufficient quantity ; add the urine to 

 the sugar, then add the sulphuric acid slowly, and, if the 



