688 DISEASES CONNECTED WITH THE LIVER. 



other organs, it is liable, in proportion to the variet}' of these 

 functions, to suffer derangement or textiiral change. The 

 most conspicuous of these functions is the formation of bile, a 

 material of much importance in the process of digestion ; 

 besides serving as an eliminatory, it is also of varied and im- 

 portant service in digestion. On this account many pheno- 

 mena of an unnatural character connected with digestion and 

 the alimentary canal and the general depuration of the system, 

 hdive been regarded as springing from disturbance of the liver. 

 There are also activities and functions of other characters, as 

 the so-called glycogenic function, the disturbance of which has 

 already been noticed in speaking of ' diabetes/ and the proba- 

 bilities of its relation to the production of another complex 

 animal substance — urea. 



In both disturbance of its natural functions and in many 

 textural changes, if not absolutely certain of all the altered 

 conditions and disease-symptoms to which these give rise we 

 at least seem to have just grounds in claiming a few as gener- 

 ally connected with these. 



1. An important group of symptoms connected with dis- 

 turbed bile-formation, which have been spoken of under the 

 term of 'jaundice.' In addition to which are others evidenced 

 by irregular intestinal action of varying character, according 

 as bile-production is in excess or deficiency. 



2. With many abnormal conditions of the liver there is 

 obvious local pain, shown by uneasiness and colicky symp- 

 toms, which are liable to be increased on local manipulation. 



3. A peculiar and often-occurring symptom of hepatic 

 derangement or of tissue-change is in connection with distant 

 parts, particularly the right pectoral Hmb, in Avhich we have 

 persistent lameness. 



4. Changes in the hepatic structure and obstruction of the 

 portal circulation lead to intestinal catarrh, enlargement of 

 spleen, ascites, and other changes of abdominal structures. 



