Diseases of the Digestive System. 201 



fluids ejected from the stomach. The animal is dull, the 

 mouth and tongue are furred and with the breath are 

 offensive, the abdomen enlarges and is pendulous, the 

 bowels contain much flatus ; there is intense thirst, 

 absence of appetite, and the loss of flesh is very rapid. 



Treatment. — Blood-letting to a moderate extent by 

 means of the lancet, or abstraction by leeches after the 

 hair has been removed is useful, especially if the hot 

 (spongio-piline) poultice is immediately applied. Mustard 

 plasters promptly are beneficial, or the hot bath may be 

 tried, if the animal can be well protected afterwards. 

 As medicines the salines, or febrifuge No. 3, may 

 be given once daily for three or four days; or the 

 febrifuge No. 6, three times daily, in simple water, 

 thickened with treacle, until the acute symptoms are 

 overcome, when vegetable tonics may be resorted to. 



Chronic Hepatitis, like the acute form, in its true 

 nature is congestive, due to similar causes, except in 

 India and other hot countries, where continued high 

 temperature and malaria are superadded. 



The Symptoms are, in the main, those of acute hepatitis 

 modified or less severe, making little progress one way 

 or the other for some time. Jaundice and a peculiar 

 haggard or dejected appearance, with loss of power, are 

 prominent signs. The liver is generally increased, hard, 

 and may be insensible to pressure. The belly, particularly 

 on the right side, is swollen, and the animal is tormented 

 by thirst, indigestion, flatulence, vomition, and irregularity 

 of the bowels. The skin is dry, often scurfy, and 

 discoloured by bile, and the hair is erect. Piles are 

 common as a result of pressure obstructing blood 

 circulation ; and asthma, disease of the spleen, &c., are 

 frequent accompaniments. 



Treatment. — Promote regular action of the bowels by 

 the use of saline aperient and febrifuge No. 3, or 

 small doses of calomel, and podophyllin, rhubarb, or 

 aloes on alternate days, with intermediate doses (two to 

 four drops) of nitric or hydrochloric acid twice daily, or the 

 iodide of potassium (five to ten grains) may be substituted 

 for a time. Great benefit may arise from an application 



