Diseases of the Liver and Spleen. 95 
“The Icterus benign, so frequent in the human subject 
that it is considered of very little consequence, is very rare 
in the dog. On the other hand, the Jcterus grave is nearly 
always fatal; but, notwithstanding, at the autopsy there 
are rarely found anatomical lesions sufficient to account for 
the death, or the gravity of the symptoms during life. Sex 
does not appear to have any influence in the production of 
the malady—male and female alike are subject to it, though 
the number of males that came under treatment might 
be greater. Neither has age any influence; the malady 
attacks both young, adult, and old, without distinction. 
“Though it is often difficult to trace the cause of the 
affection, I believe I am not far out in saying that the most 
frequent causes of this malady are: (1) excessive action 
brought on by fatigue, (2) long journeys, (3) prolonged 
sport, (4) sudden chills, (5) external violence, blows, etc., 
(6) abuse of emetics and purgatives, (7) obstinate consti- 
pation. Thus the malady prevails among setters and 
pointers a few days after the opening of the shooting 
season ; in hounds after a long run, and particularly in dogs 
which are not very fast, and are forced to keep up with the 
pack composed mostly of hounds of great speed ; in dogs 
which follow carriages for long distances; and in retrievers 
which, after being heated, go into the water to recover the 
game. 
“Tt also prevails among dogs which are left in the charge 
of keepers, and, as often happens, are subjected to strong 
drastic purgatives, or to emetics, with a view to cure the 
distemper; also in those animals which receive blows and 
kicks, too often in wanton thoughtlessness and cruelty, or 
accidental compression in the region of the liver. Finally, 
the obstinate constipation so frequent in dogs condemned 
to live in large towns seems to me to have a large share in 
the production of this malady. It is said that anger, com- 
bats amongst them, fright, etc., might cause jaundice, 
“The first signs of the affection are variable, but most 
