540 DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



broken-up tissue in the blood, which products the liver is called upon to 

 convert into substances of which the kidneys can speedily get rid. 



Sal-ammoniac exercises a powerful influence in relieving the functional 

 circulation of the liver. As the amount of nitrogenous solids in the urine 

 increases largely after its use, we may surmise that it tends to restore to 

 the liver its healthy function of purifying the blood by aiding in the 

 formation of these products. It may be used in combination with alkalies 

 or mineral acids. It is also a good stimulant. 



Salts of iron should not be given ; as — ^probably on account of their 

 astringent properties— they almost invariably aggravate the disease. If a 

 tonic be required, we may try vomica, gentian, or chiretta. 



PKACTICAL TREATMENT.— Agreeably to the foregoing re- 

 marks we may give, on one or more occasions, as a drench : — 



Epsom salts ... ... .. ... 8 oz. 



Water ... ... ... 3 pints. 



Treacle ... ... ... ... ... A sufficiency. 



. Give two drachms of ipecacuanha in a ball twice a day for a 

 week, or for a shorter period in the event of the gums and insides 

 of the eyelids recovering their usual healthy hue before that time. 

 Administer, as a drench, an ounce of sweet spirits of nitre in a 

 pint of cold water, two or three times a day. The Epsom salts 

 and sweet spirits of nitre may be giTen as the symptoms seem to 

 indicate. An enema of warm water should be administered from 

 time to time, if the constipation continues. 



Apply warm fomentations over the liver (on the right side), and 

 keep the horse warmly clothed and stabled. Allow him bran 

 mashes, roots, green fodder, and plenty of water to drink. A 

 little gentle exercise — say, a walk for a mile or two, once or twice 

 a day — may be given at discretion. 



Two ounces of bicarbonate of soda mixed in the daily allowance 

 of food, and half an ounce of sal ammoniac in a pint of water, as 

 a drench, three times a day, can be tried with advantage. 



Chronic Inflammation of the Liver. 



The same causes induce both chronic and acute inflammation of 

 the liver. The former, generally, comes on after repeated attacks 

 of the latter. 



NATURE OF THE DISEASE.— In chronic inflammation of the liver, 

 there is a large increase in the amount of the fibrous tissue of that organ, 

 which causes, by pressure, more or less obliteration of the bile-cells (which 

 are the secreting elements), and also hinders the circulation of blood through 

 the liver, and consequently gives rise, in some cases, to abdominal dropsy 

 (ascites), which is due to the transudation of watery fluid from the blood 

 contained in the portal vein and its tributaries. These vessels become 

 greatly congested on account of the passage of blood supplied by them 

 being obstructed. As a rule, in this disease, the liver shrinks to a good 

 deal less than its natural size. It may, however, become enlarged, or may 



