The liver.—­The liver is the largest gland in the body, and is situated in the upper and right part of the abdominal cavity.  The lower border of the liver corresponds to the lower border of the ribs in front and to the right side.  It weighs fifty to sixty ounces in the male; in the female, forty to fifty ounces.  It is about eight to nine inches in its transverse measurement; vertically near its right surface it is six to seven inches, while it is four to five inches thick at its thickest part.  Opposite the backbone from behind forward it measures about three inches.  The left lobe, the smallest and thinnest, extends to the left, over what is called the pit of the stomach.

Biliousness.—­This condition presents different symptoms in different cases, but it always includes languor, headache or dizziness, perhaps some yellow color of the skin and conjunctiva, and a general sense of want of tone, depression of spirits and discomfort.

Causes.—­The liver does not perform its function well, or there is a retention of bile in the bile ducts.  Most of the symptoms do not depend directly upon the changes in the bile, but upon failure of proper digestion in the stomach and intestines.  Certain poorly prepared foods or improper food for stomach digestion, quickly cause the development of active fermentation and its results irritate the stomach mucous membrane bringing about a faulty stomach secretion of mucus, which causes further trouble.  It may end in a sick headache.

Treatment.  Prevention.—­Normal, easily digested food, open bowels.  Active exercise, horseback riding, massage of the liver region.  Stooping over and bending from side to side and bending back with feet close together are good aids.

[126 Mothers’ remedies]

Diet.—­Do not over-eat.  Avoid alcohol in any form.  Stimulating foods such as spices, mustard salads, concentrated meat extracts and meat broths, pepper, horseradish are not to be used.  Do not use too much salt; strong coffee and tea are harmful.  In severe cases milk either diluted with water or lime water or peptonized should alone be used.

Gruels, albumen water, kumiss, buttermilk and oyster broth may be allowed.  Orange juice as well as lemonade may generally be given.  Fasting is good in biliousness.  No one will starve in a few days of fasting.

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Biliousness, Lemons for.—­“One lemon squeezed in a glass of water with a very little sugar, repeat for several days.”  Lemon is a very good medicine, and it is surprising to know how few people realize what medical properties the lemon contains.  This is a good, simple, but very effective remedy.

2.  Biliousness, Salt and Water for.—­“Take a teaspoonful of salt to a cup of water and drink before breakfast for a few mornings.”  It is a well-known fact that a little salt in warm water before breakfast is laxative and also cleanses the system and bowels on account of its purifying action.