70 THE CAT 



symptoms are indistinguishable to the non-pro- 

 fessional. To allay the pain, a dessert-spoonful of 

 castor oil, combined with twelve drops of laudanum, 

 or six drops of chlorodyne if the latter is used 

 a slightly smaller dose of oil must be given, say a 

 big teaspoon ful. The chlorodyne may be repeated 

 in a little milk and water every three or four hours, 

 until an abatement of pain occurs. This is practi- 

 cally always a fatal disease. A kick, or other 

 external injury, may provoke an attack of this 

 nature, combined with inflammation of the covering 

 of the bowels (peritonitis). 



Congestion of the Liver (Jaundice or Yellows). 



The liver of the cat is subject to several diseases, 

 but there is one of a more purely functional nature ; 

 namely congestion, which leads to, as a rule, the 

 development of a symptom known as jaundice or 

 the yellows, due to bile pigments circulating in the 

 blood and tinging the mucous membranes and skin 

 saffron. In some cases the fault lies in the bile 

 duct, which, if obstructed, partially or completely, 

 leads to the flow of bile being dammed back 

 into the circulation. The cat becomes sluggish ; 

 its coat stares ; its bowels are constipated ; its skin 

 is yellow ; eyes and mouth yellow : and, unless 

 attended to, it dies. 



Organic disease of the liver may cause also 

 symptoms of jaundice. 



