282 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OP 



the chyle, it is absorbed by the mesenteric glands, and returns 

 to the liver by the vena portae. 



GALL BLADDER. 



The gall bladder is a pear-shaped bag connected with the con- 

 cave and posterior surface of the liver, by the above vessels 

 and cellular membrane ; it has four coats termed peritoneal, 

 cellular, muscular, and villous. The villous coat is the internal 

 one, and is thrown into numorous minute folds, arranged in a 

 reticular form, filled with small ducts or follicles, and glands. 

 The latter secrete a fluid for the protection of the internal 

 surface. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 



Cattle and young stock, when fed too high, or when allowed 

 to luxuriate in a rich meadow, are often attacked with an acute 

 disease of the liver. The principal symptoms of this malady 

 are yellowness of the membrane which lines the eyelids, and 

 covers that part known as the " white of the eye." The vis- 

 ible surfaces of the mouth are also of a yellow tinge. In ad- 

 dition to the above symptoms, the animal is feverish, thirsty ; 

 mouth and base of the horns hot ; pulse accelerated ; breath- 

 ing rather laborious ; rumination is suspended, and the animal 

 is said to have " lost its cud." Some fulness will also generally 

 be observed on the right side, in the region of the liver, and 

 the animal will occasionally turn its head in that direction, as 

 if it were the seat of pain, which is probably the case ; yet the 

 most reliable symptoms, in a disease of this character, are a 

 yellow tinge of the visible surfaces, accompanied by febrile 

 symptoms. 



Treatment of Inflammation of the Liver. — The most ra- 

 tional method of treating this disease, is to endeavor to mitigate 

 the inflammatory diathesis, and restore the normal function of 

 the liver. In view of accomplishing these desirable results, I 

 recommend the following prescription : — 



Glauber Salts, 16 ounces. 



Powdered Mandrake, .2 drachms. 



