68 THK HORSB 



DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



Horse Has No Gall Bladder. The liver in the horse is rarely 

 the seat of disease. There is a difference in the anatomical arrangement 

 of the liver in the horse from that of man. It is a very common thing 

 to hear some local "horse-doctor" say that a horse "has disease of his 

 gall bladder. ' ' Truly a little learning is a dangerous thing, and this 

 local "horse doctor" thus unwittingly exposes his ignorance, as the 

 horse has no such organ. Diseases of the liver in horses are very 

 obscure and generally remain unnoticed till death. There are a few- 

 symptoms when present, that should make us examine the liver care- 

 fully. These are yellowness of the lining of the mouth, nose and eyes; 

 and the condition of the dung, it being light in color and pasty. 



Inflammation of the I/iver. This disease is technically known 

 as hepatitis, and may assume an acute or chronic form. 



Symptoms. The distinguishing characteristics are dullness; evi- 

 dence of internal pain, but not of a severe type; constipated and clay 

 colored dung balls; scanty and high colored urine; and general fever 

 symptoms. lyies down on left side; looks towards the right side; which 

 upon close inspection will be found to be enlarged over the posterior 

 ribs, (see location of liver in manikin) where pain is manifested if pres- 

 sure is used. The symptoms of this trouble are very obscure, especially 

 the chronic form, and even with the experienced veterinarian it is mere 

 "guess-work." 



What to Do. Give first one ounce of Barbadoes aloes or some 

 other physic. Apply a large blister to the right side, extending from a 

 little back of the girth backward to the last rib, and about fifteen inches 

 wide, midway between the middle and back of belly. Four to six 

 quarts of blood maj' be drawn from the jugular vein, (see location of 

 same on manikin) if taken in the early stages of the disease. After 

 physic operates, saline medicines to act on the liver should be given. 

 One ounce doses of saltpeter or muriate of ammonia, three or four times 

 a day are beneficial. Feed the horse sparingly and principally on bran 

 mashes. If recovery takes place, which is somewhat doubtful, give the 

 animal regular exercise and light food. 



Jaundice, the Yellows or Icterus. This is the result of the bile 

 being absorbed into the blood. It is not a disease, but a symptom of dis- 

 order of the liver, or a plugging of the bile duct. The nose, lips and eyes 

 will be yellowish instead of the pale pink color of health; the urine is 



