XXXIII. 

 DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



The horse does not suffer from liver trouble to the extent of 

 the human being, although the same conditions prevail in the 

 horse as in the human being. The cause of liver disease is feed- 

 ing an animal on a highly stimulating diet for a long time. Con- 

 gestion of the liver occurs as a symptom of other diseases, as 

 disease of the heart and lungs. 



Symptoms. — Abdominal pain, the animal looking to the right 

 side; yellowness of the mucous membrane; high, brownish color 

 of the urine; constipation of the bowels; the fieces are some- 

 times of a light clay color and fetid, a sour, acid or offensive 

 condition of the mouth; grinding of the teeth. In some instances 

 pain is manifested by lameness in the off (right) shoulder. 



Treatment. — Give eight drachms of aloes. The food should 

 be of a character easily digested. Sulphate of magnesia may be 

 given night and morning, in one-ounce doses, diluted in a half 

 pint of watei'. A course of iodide of potassium is useful. 



HEPATITUS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 



This disease, very rare in the lower animals, may be produced 

 by feeding on coarse, inferior food. It is almost always con- 

 nected with inflammation of the other abdominal organs. After 

 death the liver is found to be congested, of a grayish-red color, 

 and weighing from forty to fifty pounds. An epizootic form of 

 the disease has occurred in Italy. 



Symptoms. — The animal is dull, the coat is staring, the pidse 

 quick and weak, and the f?eces of a clay color. There is a strong 

 manifestation of fever rising in the system. The animal may 

 lie down and roll, but not in as violent a manner as a case of 

 colic. On the second or third day the mucous membranes begin 



(408) 



