OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 151 



Etiology of Reabsorption. — This condition is clue to obstruc- 

 tion of the bile channels. The obstruction may be : 



1. Ductus choledochous — biliary calculus. 



2. Tumefaction of the mucous membrane 



of the duodenum, probably from local 

 inflammation, obstructing the outlet 

 of the duct. 



3. Stenosis — stricture and obliteration of 



the duct. 



4. Tumors in the duct. 



5. Pressure upon the duct from without. 



6. Parasites. The ones most commonly 



found are the ascaris megalocephalus 

 and the fasciola heptaica. The first 

 is found in the horse, ox and sheep ; 

 the other found in any animal. 

 Seme'wlogy. — In absorption of the bile there is general yel- 

 lowness of all parts of the body. The icterus is much greater 

 than when due to suppression. The urine is high-colored ; feces 

 gray and offensive ; mouth feels pasty and soapy ; smells sour ; 

 usually a loss of appetite, not always, in bad cases the tem- 

 perature rises on the 3rd day : by the 5th day the temperature 

 will be up to 106; pulse increasing slowly, 60 by the 5th day; 

 itching of the skin, horse rubs himself raw in patches ; skin gets 

 thick and wrmkly; scurfy with desquamation of the epidermis. 

 On the neck the skin lies in rolls size of finger. There is a dis- 

 tinct labored action of the right shoulder. There is constipation 

 and the urine is scanty, syrupy and golden colored. The animal 

 becomes emaciated, anaemic and finally dies from blood poison- 

 ing. 



In suppression there is a less yellowness of the mucous mem- 

 branes, and even this is pretty much the only symptom except in 

 chronic cases due to absence of secreting substance, then there is 

 general unthriftiness. 



Treatment. — In reabsorption get rid of the obstruction. Pur- 

 gation is indicated; for a horse of 1,600 prescribe six powders of 

 calomel (1 dram) and bicarbonate soda (1 dram), one powder 

 every two hours. Give these powders while the horse is fasting. 



