a fluid which assists in converting
the food into chyle, stimulates the intestine to action, and then is
itself transformed and absorbed with the chylous products, after which
it circulates with the blood and assists in nutrition until, becoming
injurious and pernicious, it is re-secreted and re-elaborated to serve
again, as described.

For its growth and nourishment, the liver is furnished with blood by the
hepatic artery; but for the purpose of secretion and depuration, it is
abundantly supplied with venous blood by the portal system, which is
made up of veins from the spleen, stomach, pancreas, and intestines.
This impure, venous blood, surcharged with biliary elements, which must
be withdrawn from it, is freely poured into the minute network of this
glandular organ. In a healthy condition of the liver, the carbonaceous
elements of the blood are converted into sugar, and the constituents of
the bile are liberated by the liver, and set apart for further duties.
When it fails to eliminate these noxious elements from the blood, it is
itself thoroughly vitiated by them.

TREATMENT. Food must be rich in carbon in order that it may build up the
tissues and keep the body warm, but carbonic acid, the result of the
combustion, must be removed from the blood, or death will ensue. So bile
is necessary to digestion, nutrition, and life; yet, if it be not
separated from the blood by the secreting action of the liver, it will
as surely poison the system and destroy life as carbonic acid. Although
the constituents of the bile exist in the blood, they must be removed in
order that the blood may be rendered more fit to support the body, while
the secreted bile is destined to assist in digestion, and the mysterious
process of nutrition. Therefore, we should induce a secretion of bile,
and restore the normal activity of the liver. This should be done, not
by administering stimulants, but by relieving it of all contingent
embarrassments as far as possible. Would any one think of giving to a
weak, debilitated man large portions of brandy to enable him to work?
Does not every one know that, when the unnatural stimulus is removed, he
fails? Apply this principle in the treatment of the liver. When harsh,
unnatural stimulants and "bile-driving" medicines are administered for a
time and then withheld, the liver relapses into a more torpid and
debilitated condition than before treatment was begun. Is not this true
of nine-tenths of all who su