COS THE LIVER. 



found in the connective tissue of the. liver. They may be lined with 

 ciliated epithelium. 



The liver is sometimes the seat of larger and smaller multiple cysts, 

 varying from microscopical size up to that of a pea, and sometimes larger. 

 They do not appear to communicate with the gall ducts. They are some- 

 times associated with multiple cysts of the kidney. Their origin and 



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 *-, - vj- . < y'i'&ty- 



: fl^ 



FIG. 371. "FOAMY LIVER." 



The liver is riddled with small holes formed by the accumulation of gas developed by B. aerogenes capsula- 

 tus " gas bacillus." 



nature are not understood, but they are probably congenital. A teratoma 

 of the liver has been described by Misick. ' 



Occasionally the liver is found at the autopsy, even if this be made 

 but a few hours after death, more or less completely riddled with small, 

 irregular-shaped cavities, from the size of a pin's head to that of a pea 

 (Fig. 371). These holes are due to the accumulation of gases in the liver, 

 formed by the Bacillus aerogenes capsulatus. This is the so-called 

 "foamy liver" (see page 268). 



PARASITES. 



Echinococcus. This parasite is the most common and important of 

 those which occur in the human liver. It forms the so-called Itydatids of 

 the liver. These represent one of the developmental stages of the small 

 tapeworm of the dog, Tcenia echinococcus (see page 135). The cysts in 

 the liver may be very small and multiple, but they may be as large as 

 a man's head or larger. The liver may be greatly increased in size, and 

 the tissue about the cysts atrophied. The liver itself furnishes a connec- 

 tive-tissue capsule, within which is the translucent, lamellated membrane 

 furnished by the parasite. On the inside of this we may find a layer of 

 cells, granular matter, and a vascular and muscular system belonging to 

 the parasite. Projecting from this inner capsule are the brood capsules 

 and heads or scolices of the immature tapeworm. The scolices may be- 

 come detached from the wall and lie free in the cavity, which is filled 

 1 Misick, Jour. Path, and Bact, vol. v., p. 128, 1898. 



