LVII. 

 DISEASES OF THE LIVEr} 



The liver Las an important function — namely, to receive the 

 blood returned from the intestines and to secrete the bile, and 

 then to transmit the remaining portion to the kings, where it 

 undergoes th§ usual process of purification, and is changed to 

 arterial blood. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 



The animal becomes dull; the shin and urine are tinged with 

 a yellow effusion, which hue increases day after day, as seen 

 more particularly on the cuticle, the conjunctiva, the iris, and 

 groins. The animal is fevered, with pulse from 80 to 120; the 

 tongue hangs from the mouth, the appetite is gone, and there is 

 intense thirst. The dog becomes very restless and hides him- 

 self; if the liver is pressed upon he will groan. The dog will lie 

 stretched out on his belly, his legs extended in front and behind 

 him. The yellow color increases with the fever, and he vomits 

 a yellowish green substance mixed with blood. He passes blood 

 by the anus, and soon dies. The duration of the disease is about 

 ten to twelve days. If taken early and properly treated, it can 

 generally be cured, but if it is of some days standing, and has 

 taken on a typhoid character, or if inflammation of the stomach 

 has taken place, with vomiting of blood and fits, it cannot be 

 cured. 



Treatment. — If in the first stages, epsom salts, two to four 

 drachms, should be given. Later calomel, tartar emetic, cam- 

 phor, and opium, of each a half grain made into a -plU, may be 



given. A liniment should be applied over the region of the liver. 



( 530) 



