Diseases of the Liver and Spleen. 95 



"The Icterus benign, so frequent in the human subject 

 that it is considered of very little consequence, is very rare 

 in the dog. On the other hand, the Icterus grave is nearly 

 always fatal; but, notwithstanding, at the autopsy there 

 are rarely found anatomical lesions sufficient to account for 

 the death, or the gravity of the symptoms during life. Sex 

 does not appear to have any influence in the production of 

 the malady — male and female alike are subject to it, though 

 the number of males that came under treatment might 

 be greater. Neither has age any influence ; the malady 

 attacks both young, adult, and old, without distinction. 



" Though it is often difficult to trace the cause of the 

 affection, I believe I am not far out in saying that the most 

 frequent causes of this malady are : (i) excessive action 

 brought on by fatigue, (2) long journeys, (3) prolonged 

 sport, (4) sudden chills, (5) external violence, blows, etc., 

 (6) abuse of emetics and purgatives, (7) obstinate consti- 

 pation. Thus the malady prevails among setters and 

 pointers a few days after the opening of the shooting 

 season ; in hounds after a long run, and particularly in dogs 

 which are not very fast, and are forced to keep up with the 

 pack composed mostly of hounds of great speed ; in dogs 

 which follow carriages for long distances ; and in retrievers 

 which, after being heated, go into the water to recover the 

 game. 



" It also prevails among dogs which are left in the charge 

 of keepers, and, as often happens, are subjected to strong 

 drastic purgatives, or to emetics, with a view to cure the 

 distemper; also in those animals which receive blows and 

 kicks, too often in wanton thoughtlessness and cruelty, or 

 accidental compression in the region of the liver. Finally, 

 the obstinate constipation so frequent in dogs condemned 

 to live in large towns seems to me to have a large share in 

 the production of this malady. It is said that anger, com- 

 bats amongst them, fright, etc., might cause jaundice. 



" The first signs of the affection are variable, but most 



