OTHER AFFECTIONS OF THE LIVER 107 



diet; small quantities of lean meat, milk, purees, gruel, and besides this 

 giving saline laxatives and alkaline in the form of carbonates and car- 

 bonic acid, if the constipation is persistent. Strong purgatives have 

 been recommended, such as calomel, castor oil, and infusions of rhubarb; 

 but they are of no particular value; in fact, in the majority of cases, they 

 do more harm than good, as they have a tendenc}' to swell the mucous 

 membrane. Enemas of warm water, two or three times daily are very 

 useful. "We can also try to empty the gall bladder mechanically, by 

 pressing the al^domen between the fingers in the region of the kidneys; 

 also by faradization — a strong current is to be applied in the region of the 

 liver on both sides of the abdomen; this must be kept up for ten minutes 

 at a time, twice daily. Or we may use emetics, it being claimed that the 

 compression of the liver during emesis, the violent contraction of the 

 abdomen, will often empty the gall bladder. We can also try to carry 

 the bile out of the system by the kidneys. The best drugs to use are 

 diuretics, such as acetate of sodium or potassium. Where there is great 

 debility or depression we can use spirits of camphor or ether. Boldine, 

 the alkaloid of the Pennus boldos, hasrecently been spoken of as producing 

 good results in jaundice; it is given in doses of 0.08 gramme daily with 

 calomel. Great weakness or persistent sleepiness can be treated with 

 camphor, ether, and caffeine. 



I^. Sal. CaroHn fact. 10.0 



Aqua, 150.0 



M. F, Sig. — One tablespoouful three times daily. 



I^'. Sodii salicylatis, 4 to 10.0 



Syrupi Rhei, 200.0 



M. F. Sig. — One tablespoonful morning and night. 



I^. Ac. Tartaric, 15.0 



Aqua distilata, 200.0 



M. F. Sig. — One teaspoonful three times daily. 



Other Affections of the Liver. 



The other affections of the liver are of slight importance and are 

 rarely met with during life, consequently they will be only mentioned 

 briefly. 



Hyperaemia of the Liver. — This may be caused either by an increased 

 or obstructed flow of the bile, and therefore it is important to be able 

 to distinguish between the two. 



Congestive hyperemia of the liver is a normal condition during 

 digestion; it may be abnormally increased by eating large quantities 

 of food, especially if it is rich and irritating, and from want of exer- 

 cise; decayed or tainted food may also cause this condition. 



