334 HEPATITIS. 



greatest success : — The animal slioiilJ be kept witliout food for twelve 

 hours, and then cast, and placed upon his back, the intestine pushed back 

 into its proper place. A piece of skin should then be gathered up, and a 

 ligature placed tightly round it. With a view of preventing the ligature 

 slipping oft", two small iron skewers are sometimes passed transversely 

 through the skin, and the ligature tied above them. In a short time the 

 piece of skin will slough off, and permanent oblitei'ation of the sac, and 

 closure of the opening into the abdominal cavity, will generally follow. 



DISEASES OF THE LIVEE. 



As veterinary practice has improved, much light has been thrown on 

 the diseases of the liver — not perhaps on the more advanced and fatal 

 stages ; but giving us the promise that, in process of time, they may be 

 detected at an earlier period, and in a more manageable state. 



SOFTENING AND RUPTURE OF THE LIVER. 



If horses, destroyed on account of theii' complaints, are examined wlien 

 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 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 it is either confined under the 

 peritoneal covering, or oozes into the cavity of the belly. There is no- 

 thing 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 suddenly gives way, 

 and the contents of the abdomen are deluged ^vith blood, or a sufficient 

 quantity of this fluid has gradually oozed out to interfere with the func- 

 tions 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 

 deejily, the mouth and nostrils pale and blanched, the breathing quickened, 

 the pulse flagging or imperceptible, 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 bro^vvn 

 f.olour — easily toi-n by the finger, and, in some cases, completely broken 

 down. This affection is comparatively very rare in the country, but in the; 

 metropolis is of no unfrequent occurrence. 



If the hsemorrhage has been slight at the commencement, and fortu- 

 nately arrested, yet a singular consequence will frequently result. The 

 sight will gradually fail : the pupil of one or both eyes Avill gradually 

 dilate, the animal Avill 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, b3 tried. Turpentine, alum, or sulphuric acid, 

 will afford the only chance. The veterinary world is indebted to the late 

 Mr. John Field for much that is known of this sad disease. 



HEPATITIS INFLAMMATION 0? THE LIVER. 



This may consist in inflammation either of the capsule of the liver or of 

 its internal structures, or more often of both. It is rare in the horse, 

 compared with miin, and may be looked upon as an obstinate and fre- 



