Diseases.of the Digestive System. 201 
fluids ejected from the stomach. The animal is dull, the 
mouth and tongue are furred and with the breath are 
offensive, the abdomen enlarges and is pendulous, the 
bowels contain much flatus; there is intense thirst, 
absence of appetite, and the loss of flesh is very rapid. 
Treatment.—Blood-letting to a moderate extent by 
means of the lancet, or abstraction by leeches after the 
hair has been removed is useful, especially if the hot 
(spongio-piline) poultice is immediately applied. Mustard 
plasters promptly are beneficial, or the hot bath may be 
tried, if the animal can be well protected: afterwards. 
As medicines the salines, or febrifuge No. 3, may 
be given once daily for three or four days; or the 
febrifuge No. 6, three times daily, in simple water, 
thickened with treacle, until the acute symptoms are 
overcome, when vegetable tonics may be resorted to. 
Chronic Hepatitis, like the acute form, in its true. 
nature is congestive, due to similar causes, except in 
India and other hot countries, where- continued high 
temperature and malaria are superadded. 
The Symptoms are, in the main, those of acute hepatitis 
modified or less severe,. making little progress one way 
or the other for some time. Jaundice and a peculiar 
haggard or dejected appearance, with loss of power, are 
prominent signs. The liver is generally increased, hard, 
and may beinsensible to pressure. The belly, particularly 
on the right side, is swollen, and the animal is tormented 
by thirst, indigestion, flatulence, vomition, and irregularity 
of the bowels. The skin is dry, often scurfy, and 
discoloured by bile, and the hair is erect. Piles are 
common as a result of pressure obstructing blood 
circulation; and asthma, disease of the spleen, &c., are 
frequent accompaniments. 
Treatment.—Promote regular action of the bowels by 
the use of saline aperient and febrifuge No. 3, or 
small doses of calomel, and podophyllin, rhubarb, or 
aloes on alternate days, with intermediate doses (two to 
four drops) of nitric or hydrochloric acid twice daily, or the - 
iodide of potassium (five to ten grains) may be substituted 
fora time. Great benefit may arise from an application 
