100 TREATMEfrt IN LIVER COMPLAIN! S. 



tained by the feel. As will be seen,* the liver extends much faither back 

 ihan the last rib, and a little beyond the false one. Here a considerable pro- 

 tuberance appears when the liver is enlarged, and disease may be ascertained 

 that is attended by the presence of pain only. Old horses, which have been 

 well bred, retain chronic affections of the liver to a very great age ; and this 

 is frequently the main disease under which they suffer for many of the last 

 years of their Uves: great numbers of such animals die with a liver of so small 

 a size, that nought but its situation could assure us it ever had any functions 

 to perform. Horses so visited with a trifling undetected affection of the liver 

 lose their courage, and gradually sink into lethargy the longer it lasts : we 

 often hear such animals accused of being " used up, done for, or 'tis all up 

 with him," and yet driven about to the last moment of a painful existence. 



When the attack is rapid, and acute inflammation, arising from the causes 

 just set down (page 99), the pulse is the sure indication of the ruin that is 

 going on, by its irregularity, quickness, and uncertain vibration. See page 

 62. One lobe only suffers in this case, and then the animal turns its head 

 round sharply to that side from time to time. Constipation always accom- 

 panies acute inflammation of the liver. 



Remedy. — Acute inflammation, which comes on with dangerous strides, 

 when the subject of attack is of vigorous habits, must be met by a bleeding 

 proportioned to the state of its pulse, and that without delay. For, it speedily 

 communicates to the intestines, and death ensues ; or, being suffered to ex- 

 pend its virulence (provided the animal possesses strength sufficient) by stool, 

 the bleeding will then be unnecessary; or being persisted in, will confirm the 

 slighter affection just spoken of probably to the end of his days. A purgative 

 ball should accompany the bleeding, as in all other cases is prescribed gene- 

 rally at page 63; but, if the animal produce a stool voluntarily, the disorder 

 has taken a turn, and neither the operation nor the physic is required. 



After bleeding, let the sides be rubbed with the blistering ointment (vide 

 page 76), and apply a rowel to the chest. These latter, however, are doubt- 

 fully eligible, though always employed by the regular collegians. The pa- 

 tient will require the same treatment, as to diet and regimen, as for inflamme- 

 tion of the organs of respiration and general fever, before treated of at page 

 60, in the course of which his pulse and faeces should be watched, and a re- 

 lapse provided against. Calomel is that medicament which more immediately 

 acts upon the liver, and unless the horse scours, should be administered in 

 the form of 



Alterative Balls. — No. 1. 



Aloes, 9 drachms, 

 Calomel, 1 drachm. 

 Hard soap, half an ounce. 



Mix with mucilage sufficient, and divide into three balls ; to be given on three 

 successive nights, unless a thin stool comes off with the second ball. But in 

 case of scouring, give 



* In the plate of skeleton, at the parallel lines H, 30, is placed the kidney of the near side; 

 wiiilst the otf-side kidney in the same subject would be intersected by the line 29. With this 

 latter, the right lobe of the liver lies in contact, and when an enlargement of it takes place, il 

 may here be seen and lelt: when the access of inflammation and tension render it painful only^ 

 Ihe doctor should press the points of his fingers (of the left hand) gently behind tlie last or false 

 r'l several times, whereby he will ascertain whether any and what degree of pain the patieni 

 endures. If seated high up on the liver, he will not, of course, flinch at the first slight touch 



*.* To prevent error, I would here mention, 'hat in the picture of a skeleton now re<ierrefl 

 to. it is the left lobe of the liver that is there represented, and this was reduced in size, in ordei 

 to sJiow a cleaur profile of the stomach. 



