Diseases of the Liver and Spleen. 93 
tural disease of the liver, jaundice is not difficult to deal with. 
The cause, therefore, if possible, must be first ascertained. 
If it is the accumulation of feces, an aloetic purge, assisted 
by enemas, will, in removing the cause, likewise dispel the 
effect. 
If the disease proceeds from inspissated bile or gall-stone 
—in which case the urine is generally turbid and the pain 
more acute, with increased vomiting and difficulty in feecal 
evacuation—a smart dose of aloes and calomel should be 
prescribed, followed by small doses of spirits of nitrous 
ether and laudanum, 2 parts of the former to 1 of the latter, 
in drachm doses, twice or three times a day. A hot bath 
will also afford considerable relief, and this may be followed 
by the application of a mustard or linseed poultice over the 
region of the liver. 
When jaundice is due to the immoderate use of purga- 
tives and emetics, an opposite line of treatment will be 
required : mucilaginous drinks, and alkalies with opium are 
indicated. 
When diarrhoea is present, a mild dose of castor-oil may 
be first given, followed, if necessary, by small doses of 
opium. If the evacuations are excessive and attended with 
great straining, starch and opium enemas should be admin-. 
istered. 
Bleeding in jaundice is of no earthly use: if the pain is: 
acute, leeches may be applied to the side, but I must con- 
fess I am no advocate for the abstraction of blood in this. 
disease in any form, and place far more confidence in 
counter-irritation or poultices. 
The diet should be plain, unstimulating, and laxative. 
Moderate exercise may be allowed, but exposure to cold or 
damp must be strictly guarded against. Animals once 
affected with jaundice are peculiarly liable to a return of 
the complaint, and therefore need more than ordinary 
attention. 
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