e must mention
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, foreign
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 inflammation of
the liver. The vein in the neck (jugular) must be opened, and from 4 to
6 quarts of blood may be drawn. Saline 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 yellowness of the mucous membranes
follows. Jaundice may also exist during the presence of simple
constipation, hepatitis, biliary calculi, abscesses, hardening of the
liver, etc.

_Treatment._--When jaundice exists we must endeavor