530 Chronic Interstitial Hepatitis. 



Diagnosis. If no suppurative process can be discovered in 

 any otlier part of the body and if the cow be in the last stages of 

 pregnancy, or just calved, the symptoms already described (pain 

 on pressure over the region of the liver, jaundice, and later evi- 

 dence of peritonitis), justify a suspicion that the disease is in 

 existence. It is, however, difficult to arrive at a certain diagnosis 

 or to exclude the possibility of purulent or pseudotuberculous 

 hepatitis. 



Treatment. Treatment has so far proved useless and the 

 immediate slaughter of the animal is indicated. 



Literature. Benidt, A. f. Tk., 1895, XXT, 104; Pr. Vb., 1903, II, 35.— Eisen- 

 mann, Monh., 1907, XVII, 97. — McFadyean, J. of comp. Path., 1891, 46. — Meyer, 

 Unters, lib. d. multiple Nekrose d. Leber d. Eindes, Inaiig. Diss. 1903 (Lit.). — Otto, 

 S. B., 1899, 88.— Storch, Pr. Vb., 1903, 36. 



11. Chronic Interstitial Hepatitis. Hepatitis interstitialis 

 diffusa chronica. 



( Cirrhosis hepa tis. ) 



This condition consists essentially in a proliferation of the 

 interstitial tissue at the expense of the liver substance. In some 

 cases the new fibrous tissue does not contract, either for a long 

 time or at all, and atrophy of the liver substance is seen only at 

 places (hepatitis indurativa hyperplastica). In other cases there 

 is an early shrinkage of the connective tissue and a consequent 

 reduction in size of the liver and destruction of liver parenchyma 

 (cirrhosis atrophica hepatitis). 



Occurrence. In certain districts the disease is of frequent 

 occurrence and not rarely there are outbreaks, causing great 

 losses, since, sooner or later it has a fatal termination. Large 

 numbers of cases are observed under certain conditions. Besides 

 these, large numbers of cases are due to the migrations of ani- 

 mal parasites, especially in pigs, sheep and oxen. Otherwise, 

 the disease is sporadic in all animals. 



The form of chronic hepatitis known as ' ' Schweinsberg Disease ' ' was first 

 observed in Schweinsberg, Ohmtal. Since then it has been seen in some districts in 

 Bavaria and the Ehine provinces. The disease varies in severity from year to 

 year and attacks freshly imported horses more frequently than native ones. In 

 South Africa the disease occurs among horses and cattle, both sporadically and as 

 an epizootic (Eobertson). In New Zealand it is known under the name "Winton's 

 Disease" (Gilriith), in Nova Scotia as " Pictou Cattle Disease" (Wyath- Johnston), 

 and in South Dakota as "Bottom Disease" (Schroder, Smith). 



Etiology. There is no doubt that the long continued ad- 

 ministration of poisonous materials produces primary chronic 

 hepatitis. In this connection plants used for food call for special 

 consideration. These plants in swampy districts contain some 

 poisonous material, the nature of which is not yet known. The 



