Diseases of the Liver. 18S 



fice, but -jvith colic and tenderness of the abdomen, we 

 must restrict our choice to olive-oil, and other bland m'a- 

 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 elm, or mallow, decoctions of linseed, 

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

 tions, well-boiled 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 akeady secreted. 



This absorption may be determiued 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 bile. 3. Diminished fullness of the capillary ves- 

 sels of the liver from partial mechanical obstruction of 

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

 congested states of the Uver. 



Jaundice may also residt from imperfect metamorpho- 

 sis of the re-absorbed bile, as in certain fevers (anthraX; 

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

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

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

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



