90 THE CAT 



Jaundice Yellows. 



Jaundice, while it is the term frequently 

 used to indicate a disease, is only a symptom 

 of a disease, as evidenced by the yellow colora- 

 tion of the mucous membrane of the eyes, and 

 even, in severe cases, of the skin over the sur- 

 face of the body and of the discharges. Jaun- 

 dice is due to a disease of the liver, which may 

 be either a temporary congestion or a chronic 

 anatomical change in the structure of the liver, 

 which in either case interferes with the func- 

 tion of this organ, and prevents its eliminating 

 the bile, which is a waste product of the blood. 

 This bile, then, not being carried off by its 

 natural emunctory, must find some exit from 

 the body, and is carried to the surface of the 

 mucous membranes and skin, which are more 

 important excretory glands for waste matter 

 than they are usually given credit for. In case 

 of congestion of the liver, examination of the 

 right-hand side of the body, just under and 

 behind the last ribs, will show a tumor or 

 swelling, and a certain degree of tenderness, 

 according to the acuteness of the congestion. 



