AND HIS DISEASES. 93 



' constitution ; but at tlie same time it is essential to the pro- 

 cess of digestion in the conversion of chyme into chyle, and 

 also by commingling with the fsecal matter in the bowels, 

 assisting in keeping them open. Diseases of the liver are 

 not very common in this country, or indeed in any country, 

 owing, in a great measure, no doubt, to the simple arrange- 

 ment of its structure. 



HEPATITIS OE INFLAMMATION OP THE LIVEE. 



Acute inflammation of the liver is not often seen in the 

 horse, or at least is so obscurely marked as to be exceedingly 

 difficult of detection during life, and, as remarked by Profes- 

 sor Dick, " the pain of the affected part is very obscure, and 

 the natural language of the sufferer not expressive, nor is 

 the symptomatic fever marked." 



Causes. — The most likely cause to give rise to it are high 

 feeding with insufficient exercise, especially during our hot 

 summer months, or it may happen in consequence of injury 

 to the right side of the belly, as, being kicked or otherwise 

 bruised. 



Symptoms. — :It is usually ushered in by dullness, inapti- 

 tude for work, uneasiness, more or less fever, bowels costive, 

 faeces small and of a reddish brown colour, urine scanty and 

 high-coloured, membranes of the eyes, mouth, and nostrils of 

 a yellow tinge, tenderness on pressure over the region of the 

 liver. Lameness of the off-shoulder has been observed in 

 these cases, and in so marked a degree as to have been mis- 

 taken for the principal disorder. 



Treatment. — ^The appropriate remedies are purgatives, 

 , sedatire^, and blisters to the side. Give from seven to nine 

 drachm^ of Barbadoes aloes made into a ball, followed by in- 

 jections of soap and water, or solutions of aloes. Give also 

 fifteen drops of Fleming's tincture of aconite every two 



