DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND SPLEEN 99 



duodenitis or gastroTduodenitis— or it might be designated a 

 duodenal or gastro-duodenal catarrh. 



'• The existence of this condition explains in an absolutely 

 satisfactory manner the development of all the symptoms; 

 mucous and sanguinolent vomits, constipation, diarrhoea or 

 dysentery, sensibility of the abdomen, dryness of the mouth, 

 ardent thirst, etc., which are manifested from the commence- 

 ment. 



" Trasbot explains the mechanism of the biliary stasis as 

 follows. The excretory ducts of the liver, not containing any 

 contractile elements in their walls, oannot forcibly propel the 

 bile passing through them, and this only passes into the in- 

 testine by the vis-d-tergo resulting from the secretion itself ; 

 the slightest obstruction, therefore, prevents its flow. This 

 obstruction itfindSjin the swollen condition of the duodenal 

 mucous membranei and its connective tissue, which com- 

 presses the biliary duct at its opening into that canal, and 

 completely hinders the bile from passing into it. 



"This obstruction is rendered all the greater when there 

 is a fibrinous exudate, 



"Invagination of the. intestine, so frequently, met with in 

 the post-mortem examination of dogSt which have died of 

 icterus, Trasbot is inclined to ascribe to the blood-poisoning. 

 If worms produce the disease^ it can only be by irritating the 

 mucous membrane and inducing inflammation of it. With 

 regard to treatment, Trasbot recomm"ends calomeli given in 

 alterative,, not purgative, doses, as he has been very success- 

 ful with iti At the commencement^ of the.disease he gives 

 tepid drinks which are slightly emollient-^sueh as rice gruel— 

 to which is added tartro-borate ofpotass, sulphate otsoda, or 

 calcined magnesia, administered five or six times a day. 

 With the calcined magnesia he has seen recovery take place 

 in four or five days. The animal must be kept warm and 

 clean, and food easy of digestion, as milk, soup, etc., given. 

 Emetics and powerful purgatives are to be avoided, as they 

 are likely to increase the inflammation ; diuretics which do 



