444 Veteri?iary Medicine. 



medicinal agent ammonium chloride maintains an equally high 

 position. L,arge doses thrice a day, so as to induce diaphoresis 

 and diuresis greatly relieve hepatic congestions. This agent 

 determines a great increase in the urea eliminated so that it is 

 even more effective in the same direction, than sodium chloride. 

 Free chlorine is also effective in hepatic torpor and congestion, 

 and to this in part may be attributed the great value of nitro- 

 muriatic acid. 



Bromide and iodide of potassium have been found to be effec- 

 tive in reducing hepatic enlargement and thus in conducing to 

 a 1 more healthy activity of the liver. 



Ipecacuanha, Euonymus, etc. These agents are more or less 

 hepatic stimulants and may be found beneficial as combined with 

 the laxative or alkaline agents in securing a better functional 

 activity in cases of torpor or deranged function. 



Tonics, Bitters. Tonics are often useful when the health has 

 been undermined by long continued hepatic disorder. The iron 

 tonics are as a rule contra-indicated as tending to check secretion 

 of bile, unless they can be given with alkalies. Iron sulphate or 

 chloride, combined with sodium or potassium carbonate so as to 

 establish a mutual decomposition will obviate this objection. 

 The vegetable bitters (gentian, cascarilla, calumba, salicin, ser- 

 pentaria, aloes, nux vomica) combined with alkalies are often of 

 great value. Quinia, like opium, checks secretion and is to be 

 avoided or used with judgment and in combination with chola- 

 gogues. 



