542 DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



the portal vein and its tributaries. These vessels become greatly congested 

 on account of the passage of blood supplied by them being obstructed. As 

 a rule, in this disease, the liver shrinks to a good deal less than its natural 

 size. It may, however, become enlarged, or may remain unaltered in bulk. 

 Too high feeding, particularly in hot climates, may lead to fatty or other de- 

 generation. All these changes will most materially impair the working 

 efficiency of the liver. The proper treatment will naturally consist in feeding 

 the horse on food which has the least possible tendency to overtax his 

 liver ; and we may depend on bicarbonate of soda and sal-ammoniac as the 

 safest and most efficient medicines. Kespecting their actions see page 541. 



SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT. — This disease is rather obscure 

 in its nature. The cases which I have seen in India, presented 

 but few characteristic symptoms to guide the observer. There was 

 always depression of spirits ; loss of appetite for corn, although the 

 animal would eat plentifully of green meat of every sort ; wasting 

 of the muscles, which was very apparent over the hind quarters ; 

 and the animal often became pot-bellied. The bowels were gene- 

 rally constipated ; the dung lighter coloured than natural ; and 

 the gums and lining membrane of the eyelids pale, and tinged with 

 yellow. The coat did not seem to become affected. I have found 

 that, in these cases, the animal got considerably better on a course 

 of green fodder, roots, and regular, though moderate, exercise, and 

 now and then a short course of bicarbonate of soda, or sal-ammo- 

 niac: but that, if he was restricted to "hard" food, he would 

 rapidly lose the little condition he had " put on," and that the 

 mucous membranes would become yellow, and the mouth would 

 acquire a sour smell. I have rarely seen a radical cure affected in 

 the case of a horse suffering from this disease in India. 



The appropriate treatment would be green food, attention to 

 ventilation, a free supply of fresh air, and moderate exercise. Two 

 ounces of bicarbonate of soda may be given in the food daily, 

 and half an ounce of sal-ammoniac in a pint of water three times 

 a day. These medicines may be continued for a month, or longer. 



Biniodide of mercury ointment (1 to 16 of vaseline or lard) 

 might be rubbed on the skin over the region of the liver, with the 

 object of causing absorption. 



