Diseases of the Liver. 281 



fice, but with colic and tenderness of the abdomen, we 

 must restrict our choice to oHve-oil, and other bland ma- 

 terials. In advanced and weak conditions, decoctions of 

 linseed should be resorted to. The animal is to be sup- 

 ported by diffusible stimulants and iron tonics, with chlo- 

 rate of potassa, and the bowels sheathed and protected by 

 infusions of shppery ebn, or maUow, decoctions of linseed, 

 eggs, milk or mucilage ; diet should consist of linseed decoc- 

 tions, weU-boHed gruels, bran mashes, and other nutritive 

 and easily digested food. 



JAUNDICE. ICTERUS. THE YELLOWS. 



This name is given to that condition in which the visi- 

 ble mucous membranes, the skin — ^if white — the urine and 

 the tissues are stained yellow, orange or brown by bile 

 coloring matter. It is only a symptom of various disor- 

 ders, but is so specific in its characters that the name bids 

 fair to be retained for the state. It is not caused as once 

 supposed by the non-secretion of bile from the blood, but 

 by the re-absorption of bile already secreted. 



This absorption may be determined by various cases. 

 1. Obstruction of the bile duct, by gall-stones, parasites, 

 foreign bodies entering from the gut, fibrous or spasmodic 

 stricture of the duct, inflammation or ulceration and swell- 

 ing of the mucous membrane of the canal, or the intestine 

 near the opening, tumors or overloaded intestines. 2. 

 Obstruction of the bowels which hinders the discharge 

 of the bUe. 3. Diminished fullness of the capillary ves 

 sels of the liver from partial mechanical obstruction oi 

 hepatic artery or aorta. 4. Excessive secretion of bile in 

 congested states of the Kver. 



Jaundice may also result from imperfect metamorpho- 

 Bis of the re-absorbed bUe, as in certain fevers (anthraxj 

 Texan-fever, hog-cholera, purpura hsemorrhagica,) in 

 blood-poisoning, (septic matter, snake venom, phospho- 

 rus, mercury, copper, antimony, chloroform, ether, car- 

 bonic acid). It may farther result froni the breaking down 



