280 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OP 



^ Thayer's Fluid Extract of Black Cohosh, diaphoretic, 2 ounces. 



" " " Gentian, pure tonic, 2 ounces. 



" " " Jamaica Ginger, stimulant, 1 ounce. 



Syrup of Garlic, antispasmodic, 4 ounces. 



One-fourth of this mixture may be given, night and morni)- f\ 

 in the form of drench. 



Other medicines are in high repute, such, for example, as 

 hydriodate of potassa, nitrate of potassa, phosphate of ammo- 

 nia, camphor, capsicum, tincture of white mustard seed, etc. 



THE LIVER AND ITS DISEASES. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE LIVER. 



The liver is the largest gland in the body ; unlike the liver 

 of a horse, it has a large resei-voir for the reception of the bile, 

 called the gall bladder. In form it is irregular, being convex 

 anteriorly, or towards the diaphragm, with which it is in con- 

 tact, and concave on its posterior surface, or towards and in the 

 vicinity of a part of the stomach. It is composed of two 

 lobes. That on the right side is the largest ; the central por- 

 tion of the gland is the thickest, and it gradually becomes thin 

 towards its borders. The mass consists of a vast number of 

 minute lobules, varying in size and form, containing a network 

 of biliary ducts connected with their main trunks, and a large 

 number of biliary cells ; and each is connected in like manner 

 with three bloodvessels ; namely, the hepatic, or nutrient ar- 

 tery of the liver ; the vena portae, which returns the venous blood 

 after it has circulated through the intestines ; the hepatic vein, 

 which carries back the blood received from both the other 

 sources. It will be seen, therefore, that the venous blood, which 

 is brought to the liver by the vena portae, is intended for the 

 elimination of bile. Therefore, this vessel seems to act in the 

 double capacity of vein and artery ; for, as a vein it receives 

 blood from the abdominal viscera ; as an artery it ramifies 

 through the liver, forms a capillary network, and then secretes 

 the bile. From this capillary network, which can be traced 

 to the centre of the minute lobules, the hepatic vein takes its 



