THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 297 



liver is mucli enlarged and softened, as a result of 

 inflammation, whilst, in other cases, abscesses are 

 present. Inflammation of several parts of the liver 

 simultaneously is not infrequent, and this may lead 

 to multiple abscesses. Generally the peritoneal invest- 

 ment is either rendered opaque or is the seat of deposits 

 of lymph. Eemains of these latter indications are not 

 infrequent in old animals. In more recent cases the 

 accumulation of gelatinous material beneath the peri- 

 toneum somewhat obscures the normal brown chocolate 

 colour. 



Treatment. — The indications in cases of this kind are 

 to apply external stimulants over the seat of the diseased 

 organ. Administer a saline cathartic, which will act 

 without materially affecting the liver, while it will also 

 act as a febrifuge. Aconite may be used to follow this 

 up as soon as any severe febrile disorder sets in. Of 

 course careful nursing is necessary, and the food, when 

 convalescence has set in, must be light and nutritious, 

 but in small quantity. Enemas must be utilised. In the 

 chronic form, where atrophy has occurred, we can do little 

 except give an occasional liver stimulant to rouse the torpid 

 organ into activity, at least so much of it as remains fit 

 to perform its duties. 



Congestion op the Liver is manifested by dulness suc- 

 ceeding a meal, slight interference with respiration, 

 swelling on the right side (which is painful), constipation, 

 and a little yellowness of membranes. This must be 

 treated by a laxative, change of diet, fresh air, and some 

 exercise. It is generally of short duration, but when it 

 occurs frequently may give rise to chronic changes. 



HePATIRHCEA H^MOREHAGB FROM THE LiVER RuPTURE 



OP THE Liver — occasionally results from congestion and in 

 cases of degenerative changes of the organ. The sym- 

 ptoms are simply those of internal abdominal haemorrhage, 

 rapid sinking, and sometimes abdominal pain. In other 

 cases the peritoneal capsule does not give way, but the 

 blood accumulates beneath it. In the latter, recovery 

 is possible if the animal be kept very quiet and the 



