5l4 Fatly Liver. 



jji-eseiifo of a large anioiiiit of stored up fat, is greatest after 

 tliere lias been a very large quantity stored. Where the fatty 

 condition of the liver is due to chemical substances there is a 

 derangement of function and of nutrition of the liver from the 

 very outset, this being due to the action of the chemical sub- 

 stance and not to the fat. In view of the fact that these sub- 

 stances cause considerable disintegration of the protein sub- 

 stances of the cells it is possil)le that a portion of the fat is 

 derived from the disintegrated proteins. Many authors deny 

 this possibility (F. Miiller, Pfluger). 



It was at one time customary to describe two forms of fatty 

 liver; fatty infiltration, in which the fat was brought to the liver 

 from without, and fatty degeneration in which there was an 

 actual change in the protoplasm of the cell resulting in the 

 production of fat. This distinction is now no longer possible. 

 It would be better to distinguish l)etween a process whereby the 

 liver becomes fatty that is associated with destruction of the 

 liver cells and one in which the liver becomes fatty that is not 

 associated with any cell destruction. 



Eosenfeld fed dogs experimentally for long periods with mutton suet and 

 after a period of starvation poisoned them witli phos{)horus. Chemical analysis 

 proved that the fat contained in the liver was mutton fat. Fowls that had been 

 starved until they had lost practically all their fat showed no fatty changes in the 

 liver when poisoned with phosphorus. 



Anatomical Changes. The liver appears pale-yellow and 

 in severe cases may be as yellow as butter or ochre. In the 

 early stages the peripheral parts of the lobes are yellow. In 

 advanced cases the entire liver is intensely yellow in color. The 

 absence of a greenish tint excludes the possil)ility that the dis- 

 coloration is due to bile. The liver is enlarged (Neyraud saw a 

 horse's liver that weighed 14 kilos; and Kitt, a pig's liver 

 weighing 14.8 kilos), the edges are rounded, the consistency 

 is decreased, it feels greasy to the touch and pits made by 

 pressure with the finger persist. On cutting into it the blade 

 of the knife is found to be covered with a layer of fat. In 

 cases in which the protoplasm of the liver cells is involved the 

 liver may be actually smaller than normal on account of the 

 absorption of the destroyed liver cells. Evidences of this de- 

 struction can be seen under the microscope. 



Symptoms. A fatty condition of the liver may be suspected 

 when the predisposing factors are in operation and the liver 

 is enlarged without there being any other symptoms of disease 

 of that organ. When the liver is enlarged there is an increased 

 area of hepatic dullness, and the edges of the organ can be 

 palpated. If the animal be very fat it is generally impossible 

 to ascertain whether the liver is enlarged but the general con- 

 dition of the animal makes it extremely likely that the liver 

 is fatty. In the horse, digestive disturbances and particularly 

 constipation are generally observed. 



