144 CAUSES OF FATTY LIVER. 



CAUSES. There are three main causes which favour 

 the production of a fatty liver. 



1. It very commonly accompanies tubercular phthisis 

 (consumption), and according to the researches of Louis 

 and others, is found in two thirds of all cases of phthisis. 

 Andral has explained this occurrence on the ground of 

 impeded secretion of hydrogen by the lungs ; but the 

 more recent investigations of Eokitanski go to prove that 

 this is not the cause of the deposit ; but that it is an 

 essential constituent, or pathognomonic combination of 

 the "tubercular dyscrasia," in fact a part and parcel of 

 the tubercular or consumptive diathesis, inasmuch as it 

 allies itself with tubercular allections of every kind 

 viz., with tubercle of the intestinal mucous nirnilii 

 tubercle of the bronchial Clauds ; tubercle of the serous 

 membrane, and of the bones and brain, 



2. A fatty liver is often met with in persons who Ira- 1 

 an indolent life and a luxurious diet; in children who 

 have been jjoruL-d with food ; 



3. In persons who have accustomed themselves for 

 years to dram-drink it 



ETIOLCXUC ALLY. Wax v m- lardaceous degeneration of 

 the liver occurs more fivipu-iitly in the male than in the 

 female. Of 08 cases collected by Frerichs, 53 occurred 

 in the male sex, and only l.~> in the female; and as 

 regards the age of these 68 cases, we find the following : 



Under 10 years old 3 cases. 

 From 10 to 20 19 

 20 to 30 19 



30 to 50 18 



50 to 70 _9 



Total G8 



