88 DISEASES OF THE HORSE, 



found on the left side; looks occasionally toward the right side, 

 which, upon close inspection, may be found to be slightly enlarged 

 over the posterior ribs, where pain upon pressure is also evinced. Ob- 

 scure lameness in front, of the right leg mostly, may be a symptom of 

 hepatitis. The horse, toward the last, reels or staggers in his gait and 

 falls backward in a fainting fit, during one of which he finally suc- 

 cumbs. Death is sometimes due to rupture of the enveloping coat of 

 the liver or of some of its blood vessels. 



Causes. — ^Among the causes that lead to this disease we must men- 

 tion first the stimulating effect of overfeeding, particularly during 

 hot weather. Horses that are well fed and receive but little exercise 

 are the best subjects for diseases of this organ. We must add to 

 these causes the more mechanical ones, as injuries on the right side 

 over the liver, worms in the liver, gallstones in the biliary ducts, for- 

 eign bodies — as needles or nails that have been swallowed and in their 

 wanderings have entered the liver — and, lastly, in some instances, the 

 extension of inflammation from neighboring parts, thus involving 

 this organ. Acute hepatitis may terminate in chronic inflammation, 

 abscesses, rupture of the liver, or may disappear, leaving behind no 

 trace of disease whatever. 



Treatment. — This should consist, at first, of the administration of 

 1 ounce of Barbados aloes or other physic. General blood-letting, if 

 had recourse to early, must prove of much benefit in acute inflamma- 

 tion of the liver. The vein in the neck (jugular) must be opened, 

 and from 4 to 6 quarts of blood may be drawn. Saliiie medicines, as 

 Glauber's salt or the artificial Carlsbad salt, are indicated. These 

 may be given with the feed in tablespoonful doses. The horse is to 

 be fed sparingly on soft feed, bran mashes chiefly. If treatment 

 proves successful and recovery takes place, see to it that the horse 

 afterwards gets regular exercise and that his feed is not of a too 

 highly nutritious character and not excessive. 



JAUNDICE, ICTERUS, OR THE YELLOWS. 



This is a condition caused by the retention and absorption of bile 

 into the blood. It was formerly considered to be a disease of itself, 

 but is. now regarded as a symptom of disorder of the liver. "The 

 yellows " is observed by looking at the eyes, nose, and mouth, when 

 it will be seen that these parts are yellowish instead of the pale- 

 pink color of health. In white or light-colored horses the skin even 

 may show this yellow tint. The urine is saffron colored, the dung is 

 of a dirty-gray color, and constipation is usually present. Jaundice 

 may be present as a' symptom of almost any inflammatory disease. 

 "We know that when an animal has fever the secretions are checked, 

 the bile may be retained and absorbed throughout the system, and 



