102 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



simultaneously a very intense gastritis, or an enteritis 

 which may extend to the caecum. It therefore follows 

 that icterus is primarily and essentially a duodenitis 

 or gastro-duodenitis — or it might be designated a duodenal 

 or gastro-duodenal catarrh. 



" The existence of this condition explains in an abso 

 lately satisfactory manner the development of all the 

 symptoms ; mucous and sanguinolent vomits, constipation, 

 diarrhoea or dysentery, sensibility of the abdomen, dryness 

 of the mouth, ardent thirst, etc., which are manifested from 

 the commencement. 



" Trasbot explains the mechanism of the biliary stasis as 

 follows. The excretory ducts of the liver, not containing 

 zxiy contractile elements in their walls, cannot forcibly propel 

 the bile passing through them, and this only passes into the 

 intestine by the vis-d-tergo resulting from the secretion 

 itself ; the slightest obstruction, therefore, prevents its flow. 

 This obstruction it finds in the swollen condition of the 

 duodenal mucous membrane and its connective tissue, 

 which compresses the biliary duct at its opening into that 

 canal, and completely hinders the bile from passing into it. 



" This obstruction is rendered all the greater when there 

 is fibrinous exudate. 



"Invagination of the intestine, so frequently met within 

 '^& post-mortem examination of dogs which have died of 

 icterus, Trasbot is inclined to ascribe to the blood-poison- 

 ing. If worms produce the disease, it can only be by 

 irritating the mucous membrane and inducing inflammation 

 of it. With regard to treatment, Trasbot recommends 

 calomel given in alterative, not purgative doses, as he has 

 been very successful with it. At the commencement of the 

 disease he gives tepid drinks which are slightly emollient — 

 such as rice gruel — to which is added tartro-borate of 

 potass, sulphate of soda, or calcined magnesia, adminis- 

 tered five or six times a day. With the calcined magnesia 

 he has seen recovery take place in four or five days. The 



