RUPTURE OF THE LIVER HEPATIRRHCEA. 445 



asserting this, to deny that it may have other origias. 

 Authors tell us that it may originate in obstructions in the 

 biliary duct, occasioned by gall-stones, stricture, &c. ; though 

 into this opinion they appear to be led rather in conformity 

 with what happens in human practice than from observa- 

 tions on horses. In oxen and sheep, according to all 

 account, such occurrences happen ; but, then, they possess a 

 gall-bladder and additional duct, the same as man. Changes 

 of diet and derangements in the digestive function are also 

 mentioned among the causes of jaundice : I cannot, however, 

 as far as my own practice has gone, put much faith in them. 

 Mr. Shipp has remarked, that green food, clover and vetches, 

 dispose to jaundice. 



The TREA.TMENT of jauudicc must be conducted upon the 

 plan I have already laid down for the cure of hepatitis. 

 Inflammation being the proximate cause — the morbid agent — 

 that it is which should be made the main object of attack. 

 At the same time, we must have in view the ejection from 

 the system of the redundant bile. Blood-letting will aid in 

 this, but purgation will accomplish it most effectually. For 

 more particular directions how to proceed in the treatment 

 turn back to " hepatitis,^^ both acute and chronic. 



RUPTURE OF THE LIVER HEPATIRRHCEA. 



HepatirrH(EA from r?7rap ''the liver,^' pew ''to flow'^ has 

 obtained a sort of reputation among Veterinarians for 

 signifying bu7'st or rupture of the liver ; whereas, in human 

 medicine, it is used (when employed at all, which appears 

 is very httle) to signify some combination of excessive bilious 

 secretion, or flow of bile, with diarrhoea or dysentery, so that 

 the patient^s stools are what are called " bilious.^^ It can only 

 be applied to Hepatirhexis or rupture of the liver, on account of 

 the floiv of blood which under such circumstances takes place. 



Eupture of the liver appears to be a disease peculiar to 

 animals ; it is one unknown in our ow^n persons. 



Horses advanced in life, who, from being well fed, and 

 but little or but occasionally worked, grow fat and gross in 



