242 DISEASES OF THEINTES TINES. 



If horses, destroyed on account of other complaints, are examined when they are 

 not more than five years old, the liver is usually found in the most healthy state ; but 

 when they arrive at eight or nine, or ten years, this viscus is frequently increased in 

 size — it is less elastic under pressure — it has assumed more of a granulated or broken- 

 down appearance — the blood does not so readily permeate its vessels, and, at length, 

 in a greater or less quantity, it begins to exude, and is either confined under the peri- 

 toneal covering, or oozes into the cavity of the belly. There is nothing, for awhile, 

 to indicate the existence of this. The horse feeds well, is in apparent health, in good 

 condition, and capable of constant work, notwithstanding so fatal a change is taking 

 place in this important viscus; but, at length, the peritoneal covering of the liver sud- 

 denly gives way, and the contents of the abdomen are deluged with blood, or a suffi- 

 c'ent quantity of this fluid has gradually oozed out to interfere with the functions of 

 the viscera. 



The symptoms of this sudden change are — pawing, shifting the posture, distension 

 of the belly, curling of the upper lip, sighing frequently and deeply, the mouth and 

 nostrils pale and blanched, the breathing quickened, restlessness, debility, fainting, 

 and death. 



On opening the abdomen, the intestines are found to be deluged with dark venous 

 blood. The liver is either of a fawn, or light yellow, or brown colour — easily torn 

 by the finger, and, in some cases, completely broken down. 



If the haemorrhage has been slight at the commencement, and fortunately arrested, 

 yet a singular consequence Avill frequently result. The sight will gradually fail ; the 

 pupil of one or both eyes will gradually dilate, the animal will have gutta serena, 

 and become perfectly blind. This will almost assuredly take place on a return of the 

 affection of the liver. Little can be done in a medical point of view. Astringent and 

 styptic medicines may, however, be tried. Turpentine, alum, or sulphuric acid, will 

 afford the only chance. The veterinary world is indebted to the late Mr. John Field 

 for almost all that is known of this sad disease. 



JAUNDICE, 



Commonly called The Yellows, is a more frequent, but more tractable disease. It 

 is the introduction of bile into the general circulation. This is usually caused by 



There, indeed, I found her, at a considerable distance from the bank, and making the most 

 violent efl'orts to release herself. With considerable difficulty, and after many unsuccessful 

 attempts, we succeeded in draf^^inaf her ashore, so much exhausted as to he utterly incapable 

 of rising. A gate was procured, and being well covered with straw, .'-In \v as drawn home- 

 ward by two horses ; I following, regretting what had occurred, and not a li. i le blaming myself 

 for having exposed her to this misfortune. 



"Having placed her in her bo.x, our first object was her restoration and comfort. Men 

 were set to work to rub her perfectly dry, and some warm gruel, with a little cordial medi- 

 cine, was given. The state of the wound was next examined, and it was well cleaned with 

 tepid water. It was very dnrk-colourcd. The vitality of the young granulations was appa- 

 rently destroyed, and it emitted, in some degree, perhaps from the mud which had been so 

 long in contact with it, an offensive effluvium. It was well dressed with the spirit of nitrous 

 ether, and properly bandaged — in order to prevent its receiving any further injury in Jier inef- 

 fectual attempts to rise. 



" We soon, however, began to fear some ill consequence from the continuance of these 

 efforts, and we determined to raise her with the slings, those useful appendages to every vete- 

 rinary establishment. This was soon effected. We allowed very little bearing on the abdo- 

 men, except when she was compelled, in order to ease her hind extremities, which were yet 

 unable to support their share of the weight of the body. Frictions, stimulatus, and bandages, 

 were applied to ilie extremities. An enema was given, the wound again attended to, and 

 some gruel placed within her reach. 



"At midniffht she was standing at ease in what may not inappropriately be called her 

 cradle. The legs were tolerably warm : the pulse 60, and full ; the enema had done its duty, 

 and she was in a much more comfortable state than I had any right to expect. I ordered her 

 a warm mash and some gruel, for hope began once more to cheer me. 



" On the following and succeeding days she continued gradually to regain her strength, but 

 she required great care and attention, and it was not until the expiration of the fourth day that 

 I dared to remove her from the slinas, and then only for a few hours during the day, carefully 

 replacing her in them at night. Some slight sloughing took place from tlie \\ound ; but the 

 {•rincipa! effect of her immersion was a severe catarrh. She required occasional attendance 

 to the wound ; and it was not until the 12th of January — more than twelve weeks after the 

 operation — that the last of the metallic sutures came away. She soon afterwards returned 

 to her usual work." 



