CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER 243 



The color is grayish-brown, and on cut section shows white 

 points. Microscopic examination reveals the amyloid degen- 

 eration. 



Symptoms. Difficult to recognize during the life of the 

 animal, and is only of importance to the pathologist. Other 

 degenerative conditions. which have been observed on post- 

 mortem in small animals are only of importance to the student 

 in pathology and will not be described here, as a diagnosis 

 can only be made on postmortem. 



CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER. 



Chronic Interstitial Hepatitis. 



Definition. A chronic inflammation of the liver with an 

 increase in the interstitial connective tissue. 



Etiology. The exact causes are not definitely known. 

 Infection no doubt plays an important role, bacterial toxins 

 from the intestinal tract being carried direct to the liver. 

 It may be produced secondarily from other diseases of the 

 liver, such as acute and chronic hepatitis, congestion, etc. 

 Parasitic invasion has been known to produce it in certain 

 districts. 



Pathology. In the early stages the organ is usually en- 

 larged; in later stages often atrophic. The liver maintains 

 its shape, the surface is smooth, or in some cases granular. 

 The color varies somewhat from a light green to a dark olive 

 green, and the liver nodules are separated by connective 

 tissue. The consistency of the liver is greatly increased, and 

 when incised it cuts hard and grates under the knife, due to 

 the excessive amount of connective tissue. The bile passages 

 are usually found normal. 



Symptoms. The symptoms are those of a chronic condi- 

 tion, with which is associated a disturbance in the intestinal 

 tract. Jaundice, which is usually mild, producing only a 

 slight tinge of yellow in the mucous membranes; bile in the 

 urine, giving it a greenish color; nausea and vomiting are 

 often observed in the dog. An enlargement of the liver can 

 be readily detected by palpation. In the advanced stages of 



