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INFLAMiMATION OF THE LIVER.

the abscess bursts into the cavity of the abdomen atlarge, death must ensue; nor will the event be morefavourable when the abscess is opened by an incision,unless in cases where the liver adheres to the peritonae-um, so as to form a bag 1 for the matter, and prevent itfrom falling- into the cavity of the abdomen ; in whichcase opening the abscess by a sufficiently large in-cision, will probably save the patient's life.*

If the disorder, in spite of all endeavours to the con-trary, should end in a scirrhus, the patient must becareful to regulate his diet, &c. in such a manner asnot to aggravate the disease. He must not indulge inflesh, fish, strong- liquors, or any highly seasoned orsalted provisions; but should, for the most part, live onmild vegetables, as fruits and roots, taking gentle ex-ercise, and drinking whey, barley-water, or butter-milk. If he takes any thing- stronger, it should be finemild ale, which is less heating than wines or spirits.

We shall take no notice of inflammations of theother viscera. They must, in general, be treated uponthe same principles as those already mentioned. Thechief rule with respect to all of them is, to let blood,to avoid every thing that is strong, or of a heatingnature, to apply warm fomentations to the part affec-ted, and to cause the patient to drink a sufficientquantity of warm diluting liquors.

Warm fomentations frequently repeated are the bestmeans of relief for the diseases here treated of. Ofthese the anodyne fomentation, s\)eciiied'm the Appen-dix, with the occasional addition of a handful of ca-momile-flowers, may be particularly recommended.

If the fomentations are not effectual, the warm-bathmay be resorted to with advantage, in which the pa-tient ought to remain while his strength will permit.For want of a proper bath, a cask or tub may be used.

The costiveness accompanying inflammations of thestomach and bowels will be better removed by a per-severance in mild and gentle medicines, than by the

* I know a gentleman who had several abscesses of the liver opened,and is now a strong and healthy man, though above eighty years ofage.