304 DISEASES OF TRUE INFECTION 



Pleural Tuberculosis. — "When the process of breaking down, or 

 disintegration, has gone on to any marked degree, the tuberculous 

 mass forms a tumor-like body containing in its centre a whitish fluid 

 held in fibrinous tissue. This was noticed in 50 per cent, of the cases 

 observed in the dog where the lymphatic glands had undergone this de- 

 generation. In the other half of the cases, the serous meml)ranes of the 

 abdominal cavities were covered with tubercular masses, the pleura being 

 the most common seat of the disease. In the majority of cases of pleural 

 tuberculosis it takes the form of what is known as the " pearl " tubercular 

 masses. These are found to be deposits of soft connective tissue, 

 occurring in the form of numerous conglomerating granulations or in 

 large round tumors. In some cases there is extensive exudative in- 

 flammation present (sero-fibrinous and purulent pleuritis). Tubercular 

 inflammation is found in the pericardium, with extensive adhesion to the 

 heart, and a very pecviliar alteration of the mediastinum has been 

 deserved in several cases. The heart rarely presents any tubercular 

 formations. 



In the digestive organs, the lymphatic glands of the head and neck 

 are rarely invaded; and the writer found the submaxillary and retro- 

 pharyngeal lymphatics to l)e afTected in only one instance. On the 

 other hand, the mesenteric glands were particularly affected, some cases 

 presenting large tumor-like masses containing broken-down centres. 



Tuberculosis of the intestines is rare, and is restricted to slight 

 ulcerations or abscesses. The liver, as a rule, is generally involved to a 

 marked degree, its substance being filled with small nodules or large 

 granular masses which are milky W'hite in color. In the centre of these 

 is found a broken-down opaque fluid, the result of fatty degeneration. 

 The spleen was found by the writer to be tubercular in two cases, and that 

 only to a slight degree. In the liver are found numerous firm white 

 fibrous nodules ranging from the size of a pea to the size of an egg. The 

 kidneys are frequently the seat of more or less tubercular deposits, and 

 in twelve cases scattered granulations were found in the spinal and mem- 

 branous substance, but cheesy abscesses and centres were also found. 

 These were accompanied by chronic indurative nephritis. Ulceration of 

 the pelvis of the kidney w^as observed in one case. One dog showed Init 

 a slightly tubercular ureter and bladder. The sexual organs are, as a 

 rule, found healthy and very rarely attacked by the disease. In rare 

 instances a tubercular testicle is noticed. 



Tuberculosis of the prostate has been o]:)served, also in the ovary, 

 the bones, articulations and in the brain. A tuberculous ulceration of 

 the skin has also been seen. For further particulars as to the patho- 

 logical character of tuberculosis, consult the numerous works on the 

 subject. 



