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Jaimdice— Icterus—The Yelloics.—Thm is a condition caused by the 

 retention and absorption of bile into the blood. It was formerly con- 

 sidered to be a disease of itself, but can not, I think, be accepted as 

 more than a symptom, or at most as expressing the existence of func- 

 tional disorder of the liver. " The Yellows " is observed by looking at 

 the eyes, nose, and mouth, when it will be seen that these parts are 

 yellowish instead of the pale-pink color of health. In white or light- 

 colored horses the skin even may show this yellow tint. The urine is 

 saflron-colored, the dung is of a dirty gray color, and constipation is 

 mostly present. Jaundice may be present as a symptom of almost any 

 inflammatory disease. We know that when an animal is "fevered" 

 the secretions are checked, the bile is retained and absorbed through- 

 out the system, and yellowness of the mucous membranes follows. 

 Jaundica may also exist during the presence of simple constipation, 

 hepatitis, biliary calculi, abscesses, hardening of the liver, etc. 



Treatment. — When jaundice exists we must endeavor to rid the sys- 

 tem of the excess of bile, and this is best accomplished by giving pur- 

 gatives that act upon the liver. Calomel, 2 drams, with aloes, 7 drams, 

 should be given. Glauber salts in handful doses once or twice a day 

 for a week is also effective. May-apple, rhubarb, castor oil, and other 

 cathartics that act upon the first or small bowels, may be selected. 

 We must be careful to see that the bowels are kept open by avoiding 

 hard, dry, bulky foods. 



Rupture of the liver. — This is known to occur at times in the horse, 

 most frequently in old, fat horses and those that get but little exercise. 

 Horses that have suffered from chronic liver disease for years eventually 

 present symptoms of colic and die quite suddenly. Upon post-mortem 

 examination we discover that the liver had ruptured. The cicatrices 

 or scars that are often found upon the liver lead me to think that that 

 organ may suffer small rupture and yet the horse recover from it. This 

 result can not obtain, however, if the rent or tear is extensive, since in 

 such cases death must quickly follow from hemorrhage, or, later, from 

 peritonitis. Enlarged liver is particularly liable to rupture, and it is 

 not surprising that, when we read of this organ weighing 55 to CO pounds, 

 this accident occurs. The immediate causes of rupture appear to 

 be excessive muscular exertion, sudden distention of the abdomen with 

 gas, or some accident, as falling or being kicked by another horse. 



The symptoms of rupture will depend upon the extent of the lacera- 

 tion. If slight there will be simply the symptoms of abdominal pain, 

 looking back to the sides, lying down, etc.; if extensive the horse is 

 dull and dejected, has no appetite, breathing becomes short and catch- 

 ing, he sighs or sobs, visible mucous membranes are pale, extremities 

 cold, pulse fVist, small, and weak or running down. Countenance now 

 shows much distress, he sweats profusely, totters in his gait, props bis 

 legs wide apart, reels, staggers, and falls. He may get up again, but 

 soon falls dead. The rapid running-down pulse, paleness of the eyes, 



