130 KENNEL DISEASES. 
DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 
The liver of man is an abused organ, and accused of much for which it is 
nowise responsible. This is largely accounted for by the fact that ignorant and 
unscrupulous pretenders to medical skill have long been accustomed to use the 
terms “liver complaint” and “biliousness” in cases the nature of which they 
knew nothing, and in which, in most instances, the real trouble was far removed 
from the liver. In consequence laymen are wont to assume that when they are 
ailing from unappreciable causes this organ needs stimulating, and therefore 
“Liver Pills,” “Pads,” “Invigorators,” and “Tonics” are the most popular 
nostrums of the day, and must continue to be so as long as easy gullibility is 
such a pronounced characteristic of mankind. 
He who is temperate, lives outside of malarial districts and low, damp, and 
intensely hot regions, seldom suffers from disease of his liver ; and if reasonably 
discreet in his habits, it is but rarely deranged. The liver of the dog is even 
less liable to disease and derangement, for its resistance as well as capabilities 
are greater, and influences which might upset his master’s liver could scarcely 
have any effect upon him. 
As a matter of fact, in his kind this organ only rarely requires interference; 
but since it is not entirely exempt from trouble, it cannot rightly be ignored 
altogether, therefore the infirmities to which it is liable will be briefly con- 
sidered. 
CONGESTION OF THE LIVER. 
When denied sufficient exercise and yet generously fed, dogs are liable to 
be victims of congestion of the liver; and these conditions are especially pro- 
ductive of that disturbance during hot weather. It may, however, be caused 
by “catching cold,” also by errors in diet which give rise to indigestion. At 
times it is present during the run of inflammatory affections ; and it is quite 
likely to occur in diseases of the heart and lungs, which interfere with circula- 
tion and cause the vessels of the liver to be over-filled. 
In this affection the liver is usually enlarged; and there is some shortness 
of breath when the enlargement is considerable. A furred tongue, constipa- 
tion, lead-colored discharges, bad breath, now and then yellowness of the eyes, 
and some tenderness on pressure in the region of the liver, are the most constant 
symptoms. 
Unless caused by other affections, and the same are still existing, treatment 
requires merely a light diet from which fats are excluded, perfect freedom of 
movement if possible ; and if not, then ample exercise, and medicine to act 
