Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/133

115&#93; LI V YA'ttiy called Diachylon, is usually- applied in excoriations of the skin, slight wounds, &c. Its adion is BO far beneficial, as it keeps the iujured part soft and somewhat warm, while it excludes the exter- nal air ; though such plaster ought to be employed with due caution. LiTHoNTRiPTics. SeeSxoNE. LivE-FOR-EVER. See Cud- Weed. LIVER, the largest and most ponderous of the abdominal vis- cera, which, in adults, weighs about 3lb. It is situated under, and con- nefted with the diaphragm, by means of the suspensory and other ligaments ; extends over the right side of the stomach, and serves to purify the blood, by secreting the bile. The liver of animals aff<M-ds nei- ther wholesome nor palatable food. The blood-vessels and biliary mat- ters conneded with this organ, ren- der it still more obje6tlonable, espe- cially to plethoric persons. From its dry and earthy nature, it cor- rupts the chyle, and obstrufts the vessels : hence it requires a great quantity of drink, and ought to be eaten only by the robust, whose J)owers of digestion arc unimpaired. Obstruction of the Liver, a disease in which the blood is apt to stagnate, and form congestions in that viscus. — Its symptoms are, difficulty of breathing, an irregular heat in the whole body, dry cough, loss of appetite, and a straightncss about the region oi the heart : thei urine is at first thin and limpid ; but, as the he6lic fever increases, it assumes a deep orange-colour, and, at length, deposits a thick pediment. This complaint chiefly atfects persons of sedentary occu- pations, or those whose natural tii^icharge* are suddenly obstructed. LI V [its and such as use too gross a diet, or indulge in too long fepose on fea- ther-beds. Cure: Blisters applied to the re- gion of the liver ; emetics ; mer- cury, used both externally and in- ternally.— Considerable benefit has also been derived from the use of gunl ammoniac, in the form of an ointment, with oxymelof stjuills, and the application of emollient Clysters ', from the extra6l of the Common Hemlock, prescribed ac-' cording to circumstances, and like- wise from the Bath-waters. — The patient's diet should be light and nourishing. IkflammaVpion of the Liver, or Hepatitis, a most dangerous and frequent disorder in hot climates ; it is accompanied with tension and pain in the right side, under the false ribs ; a difficulty of breathing, and lying on the left side; dry cough, vomiting, hiccough, and loathing of food. The more immediate causes of this affection are, indurations, or hard tumors of the livery too great fatness in the omentum or caul ; sudden exposure to cold air, or the drinking of cold water, when the body is over-heated ; violent concussions occasioned by too pow- erful emetics, &c. In this, as in other inllamma- tions of the viscera, recourse must be first had to blood-letting, which should be repeated according to the nature of the case ; a blister is then to be applied to the p^rt aflctted ; mercurial purgatives, together with emollient and attenuating clysters, are next to be administered. The abdomen and legs ought also to be frequently bathed in warm water. — « Lately, the nitrous acid, largely di- luted with water and mucilage, or syrup, has proved almost a specific I 2 iii