408 INFLAMMATIONS. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER (Hepatitis, or Yellows). 



This is one of the most common of the diseases to which sport- 

 ing clogs are subject, in consequence of the exj)osure to cold and 

 wet which they are submitted to, producing congestion of the 

 liver, and this going on to inflammation. Dogs deprived of exer- 

 cise also contract it, because their livers first becoming torpid the 

 bile accumulates, and then, in order to get rid of it, nature estab- 

 lishes an action which ends in inflammation. The si/mptoms are a 

 yellow state of the white of the eye and skin generally, from which 

 the disease is commonly called '* the yellows." 



Aciiie hepatitis comes on rapidly, and with a good deal of fever, 

 generally showing itself on the day after a long exposure to wet 

 and cold, as in shooting or hunting. The dog shivers, his nose is 

 hot, his breathing is slightly quicker than usual, and his pidse 

 quick, small, and uiry. The bowels are confined, and when moved, 

 the motions are clay-coloured or slaty. If these symptoms are 

 not soon relieved, the case ends fatally, sickness coming on, and 

 the strength being rapidly exhausted. The treatment should be, 

 first, a considerable abstraction of blood ; then give the bolus (13) ; 

 and, as soon as it has acted, rub on to the right side, over the liver, 

 the embrocation (42) or (43) ; and, at the same time, give calomel 

 and opium, of each a grain in a pill, every four hours, taking care 

 to keep the bowels open by the bolus (13), or by castor oil (15). 

 As soon as the proper colour returns to the motions, the calomel 

 may be entirely or partially discontinued, substituting small doses 



