560 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



of sufficient value, may be remedied by a veterinary surgeon. In this 

 case, give laudanum in 2-ounce doses to keep the animal quiet until the 

 doctor arrives. Relief is obtained by cutting into the side and releasing 

 the intestine. For the horse give opium in one or two drachm doses as 

 the nature of the case may seem to require to relieve the pain, and trust 

 to nature to effect a cure by releasing the parts naturally. 



XV. Functional Diseases of the Liver. 



The liver of the horse is not particularly subject to disease. It vras 

 formerly supposed to be almost entirely exempt, but later researches 

 show it to be an agent, through obstruction, and the principal local seat 

 of various disorders, as diabetes, blood poisoning from imperfect oxygen- 

 ation of the albuminoids, etc. , 



How to know it. — In active congestions of the liver, which is the dis- 

 ease most usually prevalent and this principally in the South, there 

 may be sluggishness, irregular bowels, abundant liquid discharges of 



deep yellow or orange colored dung. 

 T^ere will be extreme and painful 

 prostration, the eyes will be sunken, 

 the pulse excited, and the limbs will 

 tremble. There may be colicky pains. 

 If the last ribs are struck with some 

 force, extreme pain will be shown. 

 If the horse faints and there are pal- 

 lid mucus membrane, with quick and 

 weak pulse, it may be conjectured 

 that rupture of the liver has taken 

 TEST OK HEMOKRUAGK FROM THic LivEK. piacc . lu tWs casc, thc cud is dcath. 



The illustration we give will show 

 the test alike for ruptured liver and spleen. 



What to do. — In the beginning, that is when the pulse is strong, free 

 bleeding will often check the disease. When the pulse is weak, blood 

 must not be drawn ; or, if the blood does not flow freely, close the orific* 

 at once. 



Apply mustard poultices to the limbs. Give one pound of sulphate of 

 soda dissolved in a quart of water, to deplete the portal system and liver. 

 Apply ice to the last ribs to check effusion. Apply a blister over the 

 region of the liver. Continue the sulphate of soda in doses of one to 

 four ounces daily. 



During the attack and recovery the animal must have pure air, and 



