bilious matter ; there is a dry cough, oppressive breathing, a difficulty of lying on the right side ; costiveness, emaciation, debility, hard and frequent pulse, and a sallow complexion. The office of the liver is to secrete the bile, the origin of which is this : — the dark venous blood, passing through the liver on its way back to the heart, is there divested of its noxious matter, con- sisting largely of carbon, and so made fit for re-entering into the arterial dr- culation. A portion of the matter so separated from the blood is the bile, which is discharged into the duodenum, and there mixes with the digested food, and performs the important office of fitting it for absorption into the system. The bile thus mixed with the elements of nutrition is also absorbed, and it is probable that it is adapted and designed to support the processes of respiratory combustion. It is the bile that gives the colour to the feces, which indicate a healthy flow of the bile when they are of the colour of rhubarb. When, owing to some functional derangement, the bile mixes with the blood in its circulation, it is indicated by yellowness of com- plexion, in jaundice, and by the symp- toms previously described. The healthy flow of bile is interrupted frequently by high living, obstructed perspiration, the drinking of wines, malt liquors, and especially ardent spirits, and dram drinking. Dr. Graham judiciously observes, — — “ the term liver complaint is now far too indiscriminately used. It is proper- ly applied to designate disease in the texture of the liver ; but the majority of the maladies called by that name are in reality severe disorders of the digestive canal, that is, chronic affection of the stomach and intestines." The symptoms which indicate affec- tions of the liver, are increasing debility and emaciation, the pain and uneasiness &t the right side extending to the shoulder, lossjof appetite, full and hard pulse, &c. But in digestive disease, the loss of flesh is not so great, the breath- ing is not so laborious, and the pain is more in the region of the stomach. Treatment. — The first thing to do is to lessen the undue determination of blood to the part by equalising its cir- culation, and restoring the proper secre- tions. This will be effected by moder- ating the diet, living low, avoiding all stimulants, condiments, &c. Give the Vapour Bath, and the Sudorific Pow- ders, to promote copious perspiration, take gentle aperients ; as senna, manna, cream of tartar, and fennel seed. The bowels should be moved at least once a day. All violent purgatives are to be avoided ; they must be gentle. In weals constitutions, a decoction of tamarinds, sweetened with manna, often answers the purpose ; but if not sufficiently strong add a little senna. Mild laxative injections occasionally are of great service.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

bilious matter ; there is a dry cough, oppressive breathing, a difficulty of lying on the right side ; costiveness, emaciation, debility, hard and frequent pulse, and a sallow complexion. The office of the liver is to secrete the bile, the origin of which is this : — the dark venous blood, passing through the liver on its way back to the heart, is there divested of its noxious matter, consisting largely of carbon, and so made fit for re-entering into the arterial drculation. A portion of the matter so separated from the blood is the bile, which is discharged into the duodenum, and there mixes with the digested food, and performs the important office of fitting it for absorption into the system. The bile thus mixed with the elements of nutrition is also absorbed, and it is probable that it is adapted and designed to support the processes of respiratory combustion. It is the bile that gives the colour to the feces, which indicate a healthy flow of the bile when they are of the colour of rhubarb. When, owing to some functional derangement, the bile mixes with the blood in its circulation, it is indicated by yellowness of complexion, in jaundice, and by the symptoms previously described. The healthy flow of bile is interrupted frequently by high living, obstructed perspiration, the drinking of wines, malt liquors, and especially ardent spirits, and dram drinking. Dr. Graham judiciously observes, — — “ the term liver complaint is now far too indiscriminately used. It is properly applied to designate disease in the texture of the liver ; but the majority of the maladies called by that name are in reality severe disorders of the digestive canal, that is, chronic affection of the stomach and intestines." The symptoms which indicate affections of the liver, are increasing debility and emaciation, the pain and uneasiness &t the right side extending to the shoulder, lossjof appetite, full and hard pulse, &c. But in digestive disease, the loss of flesh is not so great, the breathing is not so laborious, and the pain is more in the region of the stomach. Treatment. — The first thing to do is to lessen the undue determination of blood to the part by equalising its circulation, and restoring the proper secre- tions. This will be effected by moderating the diet, living low, avoiding all stimulants, condiments, &c. Give the Vapour Bath, and the Sudorific Powders, to promote copious perspiration, take gentle aperients ; as senna, manna, cream of tartar, and fennel seed. The bowels should be moved at least once a day. All violent purgatives are to be avoided ; they must be gentle. In weals constitutions, a decoction of tamarinds, sweetened with manna, often answers the purpose ; but if not sufficiently strong add a little senna. Mild laxative injections occasionally are of great service.

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