528 Nodular Necrosis of the Liver. 



during iiioveiueiit). According to Grilfault, tlic following symp- 

 toms may be soon in the horse: Susceptibility to pressure over 

 the hepatic area, pain during defecation, coughing and straining, 

 marked fullness of the veins of the abdominal wall, edematous 

 swellings and irregular temperature. The enlarged liver may be 

 palpated on the right side behind the costal arch. Albrecht ob- 

 served coughing in the horse. 



In order to aseertaiii the ]>osition of tlie liver-abscess Grififault advises punc- 

 ture in the Kith or 17th intercostal space close under tlie costal arch. The operation 

 is not without danger as infection of the iieritoneuni is likely to occur if the abscess 

 is superficially placed. 



Treatment. Internal treatment is utterly useless. If the 

 diagnosis be sufficiently certain, surgical intervention may be 

 attempted. 



Griffault operated as follows: An incision was made through the abdominal 

 wall as far as the peritoneum, immediately below the costal arch on the right 

 side. The peritoneum was tlien approached to Glisson's capsule so that its inner 

 surface was in contact with the abscess wall. The abscess cavity was drained and 

 washed out and a bandage ajiplied. In this way two animals were cured. 



Literature. Albrecht, W. f. Tk., 1S98, 1. Biirgi, Cbl. f. Bakt., XXXIX, 549; 

 1906, XL, 79.— Griffanlt, Bull., 1904, 81, 402.— Kiinnemann, A. f. Tk., 1903, XXIX, 

 128.— Lisi, N. ErcoL, 1907, 49.— Mouilleron & Chautfart, Rec, 1906, 25.— Schumann, 

 Unters. iib. Abszesse in d. Leber, d. Kalbes. Diss. Leipzig, 1908 (Lit.). 



10. Nodular Necrosis of the Liver. Necrosis nodosa multiplex 



hepatis. 



Nodular necrosis of the liver is characterized l)y the pres- 

 ence of tumor-like, dry nodules in the liver substance, which 

 undergo a process of gradual softening from the periphery. 



Occurrence. The disease is of very frequent occurrence in 

 cattle. Cases in the sheep are more rare, and in the horse, pig 

 and dog quite exceptional. In the sheep it sometimes occurs as 

 an enzootic (Berndt). 



Etiology. As shown by the investigations of McFadyean, 

 Bang, Schiitz, Kitt and Meyer, the cause of the condition is the 

 necrosis bacillus (Bang). 



In natural cases the liver becomes infected by way of the 

 lilood stream. In most cases the bacillus reaches the portal blood 

 from the intestine. It is not essential that any lesion should be 

 produced in the mucous membrane. In new-born calves infec- 

 tion may take place by way of the umbilical vein. In 15 cows 

 examined by Berndt, either just l)efore or just after calving, the 

 bacillus could be found in the diseased uterus. In certain cases 

 a connection can be established between the disease and tjie use 

 of very dusty or mouldy food, or the stabling of the animals in 

 dirty stables. 



