222

INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.

F-

weaken the patient. Loose stools often prove critical, and carryoff the disease.

Mercurial friction, should the disease resist the ordinary means,may be employed, in the proportion of a drachm of the blue oint-ment rubbed over and about the affected part every night until aslight degree of salivation is excited, or rather until some obviouseffect in the constitution is produced ; and this may be commencedat the end of the fourth or fifth day of the disease. Should thefriction in this part be attended with any inconvenience, it may beapplied to the groins, taking care, however, not to carry it muchbeyond the point bordering on salivation. If it be desirable toproduce some speedy effect of the mercury, it may also be inter-nally employed, combined with small doses of opium or antimonyin the form of pills.* If the disease yields readily, a short courseof mercury will be sufficient; but otherwise its use must be contin-ued for, perhaps, five or six weeks. This remedy has latterly beenvery extensively and beneficially employed ; although in all cases itmay not be necessary •, particularly at the commencement of acuteinflammation of the liver, which, like other visceral inflammationsin Great Britain, readily yields to the ordinary plan of depletion.

If an abscess or ¡mposthume is formed in the liver, methodsshould be tried to make it break and discharge itself outwardly, asfomentations, the application of poultices, ripening cataplasms,&c. Sometimes, indeed, the matter of an abscess comes away inthe urine, and sometimes it is discharged by stool ; but these areefforts of nature which no means can promote. When the abscessbursts into the cavity of the abdomen at large, death must ensue ;nor will the event be more favourable when the abscess is openedby an incision, unless in cases where the liver adheres to the jperi-tonœum, so as to form a bag for the matter, and prevent it fromfalling into the cavity of the abdomen ; in which case opening theabscess by a sufficiently large incision will probably save thepatient's life.t

If the disorder, in spite of all endeavours to the contrary, shouldend in a scirrhus, the patient must be careful to regulate his diet,&c. in such a manner as not to aggravate the disease. He mustnot indulge in flesh, fish, strong liquors, or any highly-seasoned orsalted provisions ; but should, for the most part, live on mild vege-tables, as fruits and roots, taking gentle exercise, and drinkingwhey, barley-water, or butter-milk. If he takes any thing strong-er, it should be fine mild ale, which is less heating than wines orspirits.

If the fomentations do not remove or abate the pain, recoursemust be had to blisters, and the warm bath, in which the patient isto continue as long as his strength will permit. The want of a

* Take Calomel, 1 drm.

Purified Opium, X scr.

Tartarized Antimony, 5 grs.

Simple Syrup, enough to tbrm the mass ;which is to be divided into 30 pills ; oneto be taken night and morning.

Take Submuriate of Mercury, 1 drm.

Purified Opium,

Camphor, of each, ^ drm.

Simple Syrup, enough to form the mass ;to be made into 30 equal pills. Dose,one or two.

t I know a gentleman who had several abscesses of the liver opened, and is now astrong and healthy man, though above eighty years of age.