114 CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
rhage, ramollissement, fatty degeneration, chronic hepatitis, with 
their progress, termination and 'post-mortem appearances, were suc- 
cessively dwelt upon ; the author concluded by first quoting the 
views of Professor Brown (who has enlarged upon the association 
of liver affections with those of a catarrhal nature), and afterwards 
by directing attention to the occurrence of cephalic complications, 
said to be the result of the absorption of cholesterine into the cir- 
culation. 
Mr. J. Woodger, sen., testified to the frequency with which grey 
horses, in his experience, are affected with liver diseases, one of the 
most common symptoms being syncope. 
Mr. F. J. Mavor believed that rupture, as a rule, depends upon 
previous softening ; but in his experience no preference had been 
exhibited by grey horses, all animals subjected to the predisposing 
causes being alike liable. He also referred to the discoloration of 
membranes in influenza, but denied the cause being absorption of 
bile, but rather an altered condition of the serum of the blood. 
Mr. Cattaral (Visitor), with Messrs. Hunting , Burrell , and 
Batt (Visitor), followed in support of the absorption of bile in 
disorder of the liver. 
The Secretary (Mr. G. Armatage), alluded to the fact that the 
colouring matter of bile being manufactured in the liver only, and 
not in the blood, clearly decided, in his opinion, that the biliary se- 
cretion is absorbed in one of two ways — either directly from the 
liver or intestines, without assimilation. Besides, the usual tests 
are capable of detecting the presence of bile in most fluids, when 
perfect discoloration of the membranes occurs in hepatic affections. 
The acknowledged functions and properties of bile were alluded to, 
and the existence of important signs, which always accompany se- 
vere liver diseases, also pointed out — viz., the extreme coldness of 
the limbs, &c., and comatose state which supervenes ; the arrest of 
function depriving the system of its required heat-producing ele- 
ments, while the non-removal of material, of which bile is formed, 
results in absolute blood-poisoning and obliteration of nervous 
power. 
Mr. J. B. Martin , Rochester, in referring to the prevalence of 
hepatic affections, stated his belief that by far the major part exist 
for a great length of time, even for years. He had found that ani- 
mals dying from other causes, frequently disclosed disorganisation 
of the liver ; it was probable that no indication of the disease had 
been evident during life. 
The President said the author had laid the basis for further in- 
vestigation by the subject of his paper. In order to arrive at accu- 
rate conclusions, a multitude of facts were alone useful, and the 
scientific man, acquainted with practical details, can alone grapple 
with the disease alluded to. Among horses regularly fed and 
worked, liver diseases are rare ; climate and irregular practices have 
much to do with their production. Abroad, as in India, Australia, 
and particularly Egypt, they are very prevalent. Besides the causes 
of rupture of the liver mentioned by Mr. Rowe, injuries, falls, &c., 
