Parenchymatous Hepatitis. f 503 



attack is usually sudden, there may be rigor followed by hyper- 

 thermia, dullness, pendent head, drooping eyelids, injected con- 

 junctiva with a yellowish tinge, unsteady gait and slight indica- 

 tions 'of colic. There is anorexia, partial suppression of urine, 

 and what is passed is thick, glairy and brownish red, faeces are 

 passed with pain, and groaning, probably from compression of 

 the liver, the heart beats violently, while the pulse is small, 

 breathing accelerated and perspiration abundant. The tempera- 

 ture rises (ioi u to 106°) and remains high throughout unless 

 lowered through biliary intoxication. Percussion over the liver 

 and especially on the right side shows increased area of dullness 

 and marked tenderness. On the second or third day the icterus 

 usually increases, and a slight foetid diarrhoea may set in with 

 marked fcetor of the pale or colorless discharges. The jaundice 

 is not, however, a criterion of the danger, as it may become- less 

 marked or entirely disappear because of the extensive degenera- 

 tion of the hepatic cells and the arrest of the formation of bile. 



Diagnosis in the horse. The disease is recognized by the coin- 

 cidence of fever, with great depression, icterus, painful defeca- 

 tion, constipation followed by a foetid diarrhoea with lack of 

 color in the stools and by increased area of dullness and tender- 

 ness in the region of the liver and especially on the right side. 

 From influenza which it resembles in many respects, it is dis- 

 tinguished by the absence of watery discharge from the eyes, 

 and by the entire absence of all indication of contagion. The 

 cases occur one at a time. 



Prognosis in the horse. The disease is exceedingly fatal. 

 When the kidneys remain active, the poisons are eliminated and 

 there may be hope of recovery, but when urine is suppressed an 

 early death by poisoning is to be expected. 



Treatment in the horse. A most important indication is to 

 secure depletion from the portal system. Calomel 1 dr., aloes 

 4 drs., ipecacuan 1 dr. may be given in bolus, and followed by 

 small daily doses of sulphate and nitrate of soda with bitters, 

 with or without the ipecacuan. Action on the kidneys is essen- 

 tial to secure elimination of the poisons which threaten a fatal 

 poisoning if retained. To favor the same action fomentations 

 may be applied to the loins. The frequent presence of patho- 

 genic microorganisms either in the bowels or liver suggests the 



