DISEASES OF THE LIVER. ,185 



nature, whether inflammatory, tuberculous, or otherwise. Tonics 

 and stomachics are ahnost always demanded. All tl:e bitters, 

 tincture of iron, the mineral acids and carbonate of soda have 

 been used with profit. Opium, which checks the excretion of 

 sugar, is injurious by impairing the digestion. Lactic acid has 

 repeatedly succeeded at the expense of a severe attack of 

 rheumatism. Free secretion from the skin is beneficial, and 

 should be encouraged by warm clothing, baths, and climate. 

 Diet should be mainly albuminous, such as bran mashes and 

 gruels, peas, beans, vetches, flesh deprived of fat, etc. 



BLOOD-POISONING FROM IMPERFECT OXIDATION OF ALBUMINOIDS. 

 AZOTCEMIA. AZOTURIA. ENZOOTIC HTEMATURIA. SPINAL 

 MENINGITIS. 



Variously described in the books as disease of the kidneys 

 and spinal cord, this is really due to disease of the liver, which 

 fails to effect the transformation of albuminoids into urea, and 

 entails an accumulation in the gland and in the circulating fluid 

 of partially oxidized products, such as leucin and tyiosin, which 

 pass off in variable amount by the kidneys. It attacks almost 

 exclusively horses which have stood idle in the stable for a few 

 days, on good diet, and are then taken out and subjected to 

 active exertion. 



Symptoms, etc. — These are very variable. In the mildest 

 forms there is only some lameness and muscular trembling in a 

 particular limb, without apparent cause, brought on by sudden 

 exertion and attended by a dusky-brown colour of the mem- 

 branes of the eye and nose, and some signs of tenderness when 

 the short ribs are struck. This may be entirely cured by a 

 course of gentle laxatives (podophyllin, i scr.) and diuretics 

 (colchicum, muriate of ammonia, taraxacum, nitre), and a 

 gradual inuring to work, beginning with the slightest exertion 

 and increasing day by day as the condition improves. The 

 worst Jorms come on during or after driving, it may be not 



