Diseases of the Liver. 277 



matory, tuberculous or otherwise. Tonics and stomachics 

 are almost always demanded. All the bitters, tincture of 

 iron, the mineral acids and carbonate of soda have been 

 used with profit. Opium, which checks the excretion of 

 sugar, is injurious by impairing digestion. Lactic acid has 

 repeatedly succeeded at the expense of a severe attack of 

 rheumatism. Free secretion from the skin is beneficial 

 and should be encouraged by warm clothing, baths and 

 climate. Diet should be mainly albuminous, such as bran 

 mashes and gruels, peas, beans, vetches, flesh deprived of 

 fat, etc. 



BLOOD-POISONDSTG FROM IMPERFECT OXIDATION OF ALBUMINOIDS. 

 AZOTCEMIA. AZOTURIA. H^MOGLOBINUEIA. 



Variously described in the books as disease of the kid- 

 neys and spinal cord, this is really due to disease of the 

 liver which fails to effect the transformation of albumi- 

 noids into urea, and entails an accumulation in the gland 

 and in the circulating fluid of partially oxidized products, 

 such as leucin and tyrosin, which pass off in variable 

 amount by the kidneys. It attacks almost exclusively 

 horses which have stood idle in the stable for a few days, 

 on good diet, and are then taken out and subjected to ac- 

 tive exertion. 



Sympt&ms, etc. These are very variable. In the mild- 

 est forms there is only some lameness and muscular trem- 

 bling in a particular limb, without apparent cause, brought 

 on by sudden exertion and attended by a dusky-brown 

 color of the membranes of the eye and nose and some 

 Bigns of tenderness when the short ribs are struck. This 

 may be entirely cui-ed by a course of gentle laxatives (pod- 

 ophyllin, 1 scr.) and diuretics (colchicum, muriate of am- 

 monia, taraxacum, nitre,) and a gradual inuring to work, 

 beginning with the slightest exertion and increasing day 

 by day as the condition improves. The ivorst forms come 

 on during or after di-iving, it may be not more than one 



