190 Inflamed livek. 



Iriflamed Liver (Hepatitis). 



The hepatic organ in dogs is subject to two inflammations; 

 One rapid and acute, the other slow and chronic. 



Acute Inflammation of the Liver is not a very frequent 

 disease, but I have several times met with it. It may be 

 brought on by cold, and shews itself by dulness, restlessness, 

 panting, and unusual inclination to drink. There is also 

 present, in some cases, frequent sickness ; but which is sel- 

 dom of that distressing kind which accompanies inflammation 

 of the stomach or bowels. Hepatitis may be distinguished 

 from peripneumony, or inflamed lungs, by the absence of an 

 intense coldness of the nose and mouth ; neither is there a 

 watery exudation from them, as in pneumonia; nor is the 

 head held up to facilitate breathing. From inflamed bowels 

 it may be distinguished, by the general symptoms being, al- 

 though not dissimilar, yet less severe, v/ith less prostration 

 of strength ; neither is the region of the belly so hot and 

 tense, although I have observed the right side considerably 

 enlarged and tender to the touch in some cases. On the se- 

 cond day of the inflammation, the urine becomes of a deep 

 yellow: the skin becomes likewise universally tinged, but 

 the coverings of the eyes and mouth particularly so. 



This disease is sometimes attended with purging, but much 

 oftener with constipation. When active purging is present:- 

 the complaint usually degenerates into the bilious, or fourth 

 kind of inflammation of the bowels.^->See Inflamed Bowels. 

 Hepatitis, or inflamed liver, is commonly fatal, unless attend- 

 ed to sufficiently early. When the sickness becomes fre- 

 quent, when the limbs appear paralytic, and the mouth is 

 pale as well as cold, a fatal termination may be expected. 



The proper treatment of the complaint consists in early 

 and plentiful bleeding. A stimulating or blistering applica- 

 tion should be applied to the belly, particularly towards the 

 right side. A moderate purge should also be administered ; 

 and, if circumstances should prevent the application of any 



