Diseases of the Liver and Spleen. 93 



tural disease of the liver, jaundice is not difficult to deal with. 

 The cause, therefore, if possible, must be first ascertained. 

 If it is the accumulation of faeces, an aloetic purge, assisted 

 by enemas, will, in removing the cause, likewise dispel the 

 effect. 



If the disease proceeds from inspissated bile or gall-stone 

 — in which case the urine is generally turbid and the pain 

 more acute, with increased vomiting and difficulty in fsecal 

 evacuation — a smart dose of aloes and calomel should be 

 prescribed, followed by small doses of spirits of nitrous 

 ether and laudanum, 2 parts of the former to i of the latter, 

 in drachm doses, twice or three times a day. A hot bath 

 will also afford considerable relief, and this may be followed 

 by the application of a mustard or linseed poultice over the 

 region of the liver. 



When jaundice is due to the immoderate use of purga- 

 tives and emetics, an opposite line of treatment will be 

 required : mucilaginous drinks, and alkalies with opium are 

 indicated. 



When diarrhoea is present, a mild dose of castor-oil may 

 be first given, followed, if necessary, by small doses of 

 opium. If the evacuations are excessive and attended with 

 great straining, starch and opium enemas should be admin- 

 istered. 



Bleeding in jaundice is of no earthly use : if the pain is 

 acute, leeches may be applied to the side, but I must con- 

 fess I am no advocate for the abstraction of blood in this 

 disease in any form, and place far more confidence in 

 counter-irritation or poultices. 



The diet should be plain, unstimulating, and laxative. 

 Moderate exercise may be allowed, but exposure to cold or 

 damp must be strictly guarded against. Animals once 

 affected with jaundice are peculiarly liable to a return of 

 the complaint, and therefore need more than ordinary 

 attention. 



