102 SYMPTOMS OF CIRRHOSIS. 



vades the whole organ, both internally as well as exter- 

 nally. Beneath the peritoneal covering there is a 

 capsule of connective tissues containing a large number 

 of elastic fibres which envelop the outer surface of the 

 organ. In addition to this there is another fibrous 

 tissue composed of the same elements, and known as 

 "Glisson's capsule;" this penetrates the liver at its 

 fissure and accompanies the various vessels, nerves, 

 absorbents, and bile-ducts as far as their very finest 

 ramifications. In addition to all this there is a still 

 finer structure, an "alveolar matrix'' in tl. mev- 



like" meshes of which lit* nestling the hep, J and 



tin.- G <yst-in. 



The progress of tin- " gin-drinker's " liver is slmv, very 

 so, and insidious; its history extends over many years, 

 and lor clinical purposes may be conveniently divided 

 into two distinct stains, each havii. |>ective anato- 



mical, pathological, and symptomalngiral, chara<-:en 



SYMITOMATUI,<M,Y. Tip- early symptoms of cirri. 

 are obscure, and may be chit -I':;. Bordered 



-tioii ; there is a > 



there is a furred and loaded tongue particularly in tin- 

 morning; there i BA and qualmishness, 

 with an oceasi"iial tendency to reject the contents of 

 the stomach ; there is at times a slight degree of fever; 

 there is a sense of weight with a dull, aching, or obtuse 

 pain in the right h\ poehondrium, which shoots up under 

 the right shoulder-blade, increased by pressure or by 

 lying on the left side. The region corresponding to the 

 liver is tense and distended, and the size of that organ is 

 increased in size, which may, on careful palpation, be 

 felt cropping out below the margin of the floating i 



