THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 61 



Lesions. A careful examination will disclose the 

 lesion producing the engorgement as well as the engorged 

 condition of the liver. The liver will be full of blood 

 and of a slightly darker color than normal. If the con- 

 dition becomes chronic there will be fibrous proliferation. 



Symptoms. The signs of venous hepatic hyperemia 

 vary according to the intensity of the condition and 

 its duration. The animals become dull, and there is only 

 a sluggish action of the bowels. If the condition pro- 

 gresses until there is fibrous proliferation, disturbances of 

 nutrition become evident. 



Arterial hepatic hyperemia may be the result of involve- 

 ment of the hepatic artery or of the portal vein. This 

 is a condition characterized by an increased inflow of 

 blood into the liver. Hyperemia of the hepatic artery 

 is not common, and when it does occur it is usually 

 chronic. This condition is usually the result of partial 

 occlusion of the gastric or splenic branches of the celiac 

 axis, although it may be caused by some irritation in 

 the terminal vessels in the hepatic interstitial tissue. 

 No definite symptoms are evidenced, and the value of 

 treatment is doubtful. 



Portal hepatic hyperemia is usually caused by tainted 

 foods or by infection. The liver may be increased fifty 

 per cent in volume, and becomes gorged with blood. 

 The symptoms are obscure. Some relief may be obtained 

 by the free use of laxatives. 



Treatment. The removal of the cause, if that be 

 possible, is about all that can be accomplished. 



Hepatitis 



Inflammation of the liver, or hepatitis, is rather 

 common in swine. The condition may assume either an 

 acute or chronic form. Hepatitis as a rule is secondary to 

 bther disturbances, although it may occasionally be 

 primary. The inflammatory process may affect the 

 liver cells and is then designated parenchymatous hepatitis, 

 or it may affect the supporting framework, when it 

 is designated interstitial hepatitis. With but few excep- 



