

THE LIVER. 209 



beneficial influence by speedily allaying his excessive thirst ; and in about 

 a month the whole of the effused fluid was absorbed, although from the size 

 of the abdomen it must have amounted to a similar quantity to that drawn 

 off on the previous occasions. The dog's appetite soon returned ; he gained 

 flesh rapidly, and has continued quite well, and, from being a perfect 

 skeleton, soon became overloaded with fat. 



Induced by the great benefit derived in this case from the iodine, I took 

 the opportunity of trying it on a Newfoundland dog similarly affected. 

 He was put on a course of iodine, and the quantity of the drug was 

 gradually increased. As absorption rapidly commenced, the fluid was 

 completely taken up ; but, partly in consequence of pushing the medicine 

 too far, and partly from extensive disease in the liver, unfavourable symp- 

 toms took place, and he sunk rather unexpectedly. Still, however, from 

 the obvious and decided advantage derived from the medicine, I have no 

 doubt that iodine will be found one of the most efficient remedies in 

 dropsy in dogs. 



Iodine is a truly valuable drug. When first introduced into veterinary 

 practice it was observed that it readily accomplished the reduction of the 

 enlarged glands that frequently remain after catarrh ; but it was presently 

 evident that it reduced almost every kind of tumour, even the growth of 

 tubercles in the lungs. Professor Morton, in his Manual of Pharmacy, 

 has admirably described the different combinations of iodine. 



THE LIVER 



of the dog seems to follow a law of comparative anatomy, that its bulk 

 shall be in an inverse proportion to that of the lungs. The latter are 

 necessarily capacious ; for they need a large supply of arterial blood, in 

 order to answer to their rapid expenditure when the utmost exertion of 

 strength and speed is required. The liver is, therefore, restricted in its 

 Fize and growth. Nevertheless, it has an important duty to fulfil, namely, 

 to receive the blood that is returned from the intestines, to separate from 

 Ihe blood, or to secrete, by means of it, the bile ; and then to transmit the 

 remaining portion of it to the lungs, where it undergoes the usual process 

 of purification, and is changed to arterial blood. In the performance of 

 this office, the liver often undergoes a state of inflammation, and disease 

 c nsues, inveterate, and setting at defiance every means of cure. Both the 

 skin and the urine become tinged with a yellow effusion. The animal is 

 dull, and gradually wastes away. 



In a few days the yellow hue becomes more intense, and particularly on 

 the cuticle, the conjunctiva, the iris, the gums, and the lips. A state of 

 fever becomes more and more perceptible, and there are alternations of 

 cold and heat. The pulse varies from 80 to 120 ; the dry tongue hangs 

 from the mouth ; the appetite ceases, but the animal is peculiarly desirous 

 of cold water. The dog becomes restless ; he seeks to hide himself; and 

 he groans, if the parts in the neighbourhood of the liver are pressed upon. 



Frequent vomitings now appear, slimy, and evidently containing gall. 

 The animal becomes visibly thinner, obstinately refuses all solid food, 

 and only manifests thirst. He begins to stagger as he walks ; he with- 

 draws himself from observation ; he anxiously seeks some dark place where 

 he may lay himself with his chest and belly resting on the cold ground, 

 his fore legs stretched out before him, and his hind legs almost as far 



p 



