DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



517 



"VTII. Atrophy of the Liver. 

 This is a wasting, shrinking, pining away process. Its causes are 

 either some other disease, or else starvation. If the former, treat the 

 other disease, and the system may, perhaps, redevelop. If starvation 

 and neglect are to blame, make a radical change, giving good food, and 

 plenty of it. 



IX. Softening, or Bamollissement, with Rupture. 



This is probably due to repeated attacks of congestion and engorge- 

 ment. The softening process goes on , 

 till finally the inevitable sequel of 

 rupture takes place. Sometimes the 

 I'upture does not involve Glisson's 

 (japsule, but only the glandular mat- 

 ter, and when this occurs, it will be 

 manifested by colicky pains, and also 

 by fainting fits, if the head is raised 

 suddenly. The symptoms subside 

 after a while, and appear to leave no 

 injurious consequences. When, how- 

 ever, Glisson's capsule is ruptured, 

 hemorrhage into the abdomen occurs, 

 and a fatal termination suddenly ensues. 



Prevention 



softening and rupture, are due to improper feeding, the methods of pre- 

 vention are evident, viz : Regulate the diet carefully, reducing the 

 quality of rich and specially nutritious foods, and giving more hay, straw, 

 etc., and thus keeping down the tendency to undue obesity. 



UEMORKHAGE 

 LIVEK. 



BUOM THE 



-Recognizing that all affections of the 



liver leading to 



