726 SPORADIC DISEASES. 



the parenchyma is loosened and lacerahle. As the inflammation 

 advances, the red colour fades, and is replaced by a brownish 

 or greyish-red tint in some parts, and yellowish-red or pale 

 yellow in others. This condition, as well indeed as nearly all 

 morbid conditions of the liver, is often accompanied by a similar 

 state of the kidneys, and sometimes of the spleen. 



Causes. — The causes are similar to those of congestion. " la 

 hot countries hepatitis assumes an epizootic form, especially 

 about the end of summer. It is almost always connected with 

 inflammation of the other abdominal organs. After death the 

 liver is found congested, of a greyish-red colour, and weighing 

 from forty to fifty pounds. In addition to ordinary symptoms, 

 there is irritation of the skin. Lessona describes such an epi- 

 zootic as having occurred in Italy in 1827." — (Gamgee.) 



SymiJtoms. — The animal is dull, inactive, has a heavy head, 

 lustreless eye, and loathes its food. Mr. Percivall says, " the 

 horse seems as if it was suffering some inward pain ; but it is 

 clearly not of an acute kind. It has not lain down during the 

 past night; its dung-balls are small and dark-coloured; its urinary 

 discharges scanty; and there is manifestly a strong fever arising in 

 the system. The fever runs on, and commonly on the second or 

 third day after its onset turns out to be what farriers call ' the 

 yellows ' — known by them to be so from the remarkable circum- 

 stance of the mouth and eyes assuming that colour. The inner 

 surfaces of the lips and cheeks, the tongue, the conjunctivae, and 

 in some cases the transparent cornea and iris as well, turn 

 yellow, manifesting the diffusion of bile over the body ; and the 

 same is further demonstrated by the deep golden dye of the 

 serum of the blood. I have also observed yellow matters float- 

 ing about in the aqueous humor. The dung-balls are deeply 

 imbued with bile, and in some cases enveloped in a viscid, 

 bilious, mucous matter as well ; their colour is that of a reddish- 

 brown, leaving when rubbed upon white paper much the same 

 stain as opium would. If any urine be caught, it will be found 

 to be thick, to exhibit the same bilious tinge, and to deposit, 

 on standing, a copious lateritious sediment. The horse will 

 probably lie down quiet, and yet not appear easy, but from time 

 to time turn a dolorous look at its side, and soon after raise 

 itself up again ; and if the right side be pressed against it 

 v/ill flinch, or bite, or otherwise express tenderness there." In 



