BIOLOGY IN HUMAN AFFAIRS 



from an infected appendix, or from ulcers of the stomach, 

 or from several other conditions, involves the use of many 

 new and delicate tests, as well as a great deal of knowledge 

 concerning the manifestations of the various diseases 

 concerned. 



In an earlier day the physician was compelled to base 

 his examination of the condition of the gall bladder on 

 what he could feel with his finger beneath the edge 

 of the ribs. He still employs this measure; but, in 

 addition, he is likely to make X-ray pictures to see if 

 there are stones in the gall bladder; to inject substances 

 which localize in the gall bladder and help to make it 

 visible to the X-ray; to pass a tube through the stomach 

 into the small intestines and to take out some of the bile 

 for study; to examine the excretions of the body as to their 

 content of bile and of bile salts; and to study the blood as 

 to any changes which it may have undergone because of 

 difficulties of excretion and secretion of bile. 



Diseases of the liver involve gross changes in the organ 

 due to inflammation, infection, poisoning by various 

 metals which affect the liver particularly, hardening of the 

 liver due to the effect of alcohol or changes brought about by 

 food poisons, tumors of the liver, infection by tuberculosis 

 or some of the venereal disorders. Since the liver is so 

 intimately bound with the digestion and with the creation 

 and maintenance of the blood, extensive studies of the 

 blood and of the various secretions and excretions are 

 necessary to make an exact diagnosis. 



In the days when men used to drink tremendous quanti- 

 ties of alcoholic liquors day after day, cirrhosis or hardening 

 of the liver with the development of hobnail surfaces was 

 an extremely common complaint. As times and conditions 

 have changed, this condition is seen more and more rarely. 



On the other hand, modern industry has introduced 

 the use of chemical substances of a poisonous nature 



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