THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



551 



paratively niild forms of the lesion may predispose the intestine to the 

 incursions of intestinal bacteria and the development of more severe 

 forms of destructive lesions. The mucosa may be reddened or ecchy- 

 mosed, and covered with mucus mingled with degenerated epithelium 

 and leucocytes. The epithelium may be degenerated and peeled off (Fig. 

 325), and the cylindrical cells may be dis- 

 tended with mucus formed within them 

 "beaker cells." 



The solitary and agminated lymph -nod- 

 ules may be swollen from hyperplasia. (See 

 Lesions of the Lymph-nodes, page 394.) 

 When this hyperplasia is marked (Fig. 

 326), the lesion is often called follicular or 

 nodular enteritis, and erosions and ulceration 

 may occur (Figs. 333 and 334). For 

 hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue of the 

 intestine in typhoid fever see page 228. 



Chronic Catarrhal Enteritis. This may 

 follow the acute form or occur indepen- 

 dently. It often accompanies many forms 

 of chronic disease of the heart, kidneys, 

 lungs, etc. The mucous membrane may be 

 covered with mucus; ecchymoses, erosions, 

 and pigmentation are frequent. There is 

 hyperplasia of the interglandular tissue of 

 the mucosa and the subrnucosa. In this 



way there may be atrophy of the glands and the mucous membrane 

 may be thin and fibrous. The muscularis may also be involved and 

 atrophied. The subniucosa and the muscular layer may on the other 

 hand be thickened from the new-formed fibrous tissue. 



FIG. 325. ACUTE CATARRHAL EN- 

 TERITIS. 



Showing the open end of one of the 

 tubular glands with exfoliating and 

 disintegrating epithelium. 



FIG. 336. NODULAR ENTERITIS. 

 From the intestine of a child. 



Pseudo-membranous Enteritis may occur in connection with a similar 

 condition in the colon, in infectious diseases, in chronic diseases of the 

 liver and kidney ; in cachectic conditions, or as the result of the ingestion 



