732 SPORADIC DISFASES. 



may add that the foal had never refused eating until the day 

 I was called to it ; it ate none after that, and it was not confined 

 in the bowels." 



It appears from the history of these cases that cirrhosis of 

 the liver was due to a gradual starvation, and that the atrophy 

 of the hepatic secreting structures was part of the general 

 emaciation — atrophy — of the whole body, which was so rapidly 

 going on, consequent on want of proper food. 



Cirrhosis, consisting as it does of an organic change in the 

 gland, tends to a fatal termination, but the rapidity of its 

 course and progress may in some instances be modified by the 

 removal of its cause. 



It may be observed that the same condition of the liver has 

 been discovered to prevail as an epizootic in Novia Scotia, 

 under the term of the Pictou disease, and on the Continent of 

 Europe as lupinosis ; and the concurrence of evidence seems to 

 point out that it is due more to the want of proper pabulum 

 to be acted upon by the liver, than upon any toxic material ; 

 and I understand Mr. D. Hutcheon, the Chief Veterinary Surgeon 

 to the Cape Colony, says that similar conditions of the liver 

 are common in the colony, as a consequence of periodical periods 

 of semi-starvation — when the grasses are scarce — succeeded by 

 sudden repletion during the rapid growth of the said grasses 

 during the rainy seasons, 



SOFTENING — RAMOLLISSEMENT — RUPTURE OF THE LIVEK. 



Softening and enlargement of the liver is due probably more 

 to repeated attacks of congestion or engorgement than to a truly 

 inflammatory change. 



Softening of the liver, very often without there having been 

 any indications during life, terminates in sudden death from 

 rupture of the gland and its capsule. In some instances, how- 

 ever, there are certain symptoms of disease of the organ, such 

 as pallidity or yellowness of the visible mucous membranes, 

 occasional attacks of what aj)pears to be colic, nausea, and 

 irregularity of the bowels. 



These attacks of apparent iUness usually subside in a short 

 time, leaving the animal seemingly in perfect health. They 

 are, however, apt to recur, the patient finally rapidly sinking 



