44 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND SPLEEN. 



JAUNDICE (THE YELLOWS, OR CONGESTION OF THE LIVER). 



When jaundice exists, there is a yellow appearance of the Avhite of 

 the eyes and of the mucous membrane of the mouth. A similar aspect 

 of the skin may also be observed in animals Avhich are either partly 

 or alto<2:ether covered with white hair. Jaundice is then merely a 

 symptom of disease and ought to direct attention to ascertaining, if 

 possible, the cause or causes which have given rise to it. A swollen 

 condition of the mucous membrane of that part of the bowel called 

 the duodenum may produce jaundice, as that mechanically closes the 

 orifice of the biliary duct. In constipation there is an inactive or tor- 

 pid condition of the bowel, and the bile which passes into the intes- 

 tine may be absorbed and cause the yellow staining of jaundice. 

 Jaundice is one of the symptoms of Texas fever. It may also arise 

 from the presence of parasites or gallstones in the ducts, forming a 

 mechanical obstruction to the onward flow of bile. The conditions 

 under which jaundice most commonly calls for treatment are when 

 cattle have been highly fed and kept in a state of inactivity. At such 

 time there is an excess of nutritive elements carried into the blood, 

 which is associated with increased fullness of the portal vein and 

 hepatic artery. ^^Hien continued high feeding has produced this 

 congested state of the liver, the functions of that organ become dis- 

 ordered, so that a considerable portion of the bile, instead of being 

 excreted and passing into the intestine, is absorbed by the hepatic 

 veins. 



The structure of the liver is shown in Plate IV. 



Symptoms. — This disease, although rare, occurs most frequently 

 among stall-fed cattle. Pressure along the margin of the short ribs 

 on the right side produces pain ; the appetite is poor and the annual 

 shows hardly any inclination to drink ; the mucous membranes of the 

 eye and mouth are yellow, the urine has a yellow or broAvn appear- 

 ance, the animal lies down much and moves with reluctance, moans 

 occasionally, and has a tottering gait. The ears and horns are alter- 

 nately hot and cold : in cows the secretion of milk is much diminished, 

 and that which is secreted has a bitter taste; sometimes the animal 

 has a dry, painful cough and presents a dull, stupefied appearance. 



Treatment. — In such cases it is advisable to produce a free action 

 of the bowels, so as to remove the usually congested condition of the 

 portal vein and liver. For this purpose the administration of the 

 following dose is recommended: Sulphate of soda, 16 ounces; 

 molasses, 1 pint; warm water, 1 quart. The sulphate of soda is dis- 

 solved by stirring it up in tepid Avater. Following this the animal 

 should have a heaping tablespoonful of artificial Carlsbad salt in 

 the feed three times daily. This treatment may be assisted by giv- 



