180 DISEASES OF THE HOUSE. 



affections, but they are still more frequently connected with 

 other complaints, the symptoms of which are thereby rendered 

 more obscure, and the cases far more dangei'ous. The liver is 

 subject to inflammation of two kinds, acute and chronic. 



The symptoms of the former, at first, are mild, as well as 

 obscure, and in consequence some days usually transpire before 

 any treatment is put in practice. The symptoms, however, soon 

 afterwards become intense, the mouth feels hot, the extremities 

 cold, and the membrane of the eyelids is highly injected, and 

 often appears of a deep orange colour. At first the rapidity 

 of the pulse is not in proportion to the severity of the other 

 symptoms ; but it gradually increases, becoming seventy or 

 eighty in a minute, and is often soft and vacillating. The horse 

 refuses his food, looks round at his sides, lies down and gets up 

 frequently. The respiration is somewhat disturbed ; but this 

 symptom cannot be depended on, for sometimes it is tranquil, 

 at others greatly accelerated; there is usually a tenderness 

 evinced on pressing the sides, particularly the right side, but 

 care must be taken to distinguish this from the usual flinching; 

 exhibited when the skin is pressed against the borders of the 

 ribs. The faeces are hard, evacuated in small quantities, fre- 

 quently of a dark colour, and sometimes covered with mucus. 

 Occasionally they are fetid, and sometimes there is diarrhoea. 

 In some cases there is a stiffness in moving, particularly of the 

 hind quarters. 



The treatment must not be so active as that of pneumonia, 

 and bleeding, in particular, must be cautious and moderate ; for 

 very severe bloodlettings are prejudicial in this disease. From 

 three to five quarts of blood may be taken, according to the 

 size and condition of the animal, and again when the pulse 

 appears to indicate its repetition. Mr. Cupiss, who has written 

 an essay on the diseases of the liver *, recommends the follow- 

 ing medicine : — Aloes 1 to 2 drs., and carbonate of potash 2 drs., 

 dissolved in hot water, and then well agitated with 12 ounces 

 of castor or linseed oil ; to be repeated every twelve hours until 

 the bowels are moderately relieved, back-raking and clystering 

 being likewise practised. This effect obtained, he advises the 

 following to be administered every twenty-four hours: — car- 

 bonate of potash 3 drs., powdered resin 6 drs., with linseed 

 meal sufficient to suspend the resin in warm water. The sides 

 and abdomen should be extensively blistered, and fresh sheep- 

 skins applied over the body. Although the plan pursued by 

 Mr. Cupiss is, in many respects, very judicious, it may, I think, 

 be improved by the use of calomel and opium, wdiich medicines 

 Avill be found particularly useful in the following disease. The 



* Absti-act of the Vet. Med. Association, page 31. Vet. vol. xii. 



