DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 1 89 



and tenderness of the abdomen, we must restrict our choice to 

 olive-oil, and other bland materials. In advanced and weak 

 conditions, decoctions of linseed should be resorted to. The 

 animal is to be supported by diffusible stimulants and iron 

 tonics, with chlorate of potassa, and the bowels sheathed and 

 protected by infusions of slippery elm or mallow, decoctions 

 of linseed, eggs, milk, or mucilage ; diet should consist of 

 linseed decoctions, well-boiled gruels, bran mashes, and other 

 nutritive and easily digested food. 



JAUNDICE. ICTERUS. THE YELLOWS. 



This name is given to that condition in which the visible 

 mucous membranes, the skin — if white — the urine and the 

 tissues are stained yellow, orange, or brown, by bile colouring 

 matter. It is only a symptom of various disorders, but is so 

 specific in its characters that the name bids fair to be retained 

 for the state. It is not caused as once supposed by the non- 

 secretion of bile from the blood, but by the re-absorption of 

 bile already secreted. 



This absorption may be determined by various causes, i. 

 Obstruction of the bile duct, by gall-stones, parasites, foreign 

 bodies entering from the gut, fibrous or spasmodic stricture of 

 the duct, inflammation or ulceration and swelling of the mucous 

 membrane of the canal, or the intestine near the opening, 

 tumours, or overloaded intestines. 2. Obstruction of the 

 bowels, which hinders the discharge of the bile. 3. Diminished 

 fulness of the capillary vessels of the liver from partial mechani- 

 cal obstruction of hepatic artery or aorta. 4. Excessive secre- 

 tion of bile in congested states of the liver. 



Jaundice may also result from imperfect metamorphosis of 

 the re-absorbed bile, as in certain fevers (anthrax, Texan-fever, 

 hog-cholera, purpura hasmorrhagica), in blood-poisoning (septic 

 matter, snake venom, phosphorus, mercury, copper, antimony, 

 chloroform, ether, carbonic acid). It may further result from 



