CHAPTER V 



DISEASES OF THE LIVER 



General Discussion. — The liver is one of the most important 

 glands of the body, as well as the largest. Because of its physio- 

 logical influence over the functions of the kidneys, intestines, 

 and body in general and the varied functions that it possesses, 

 it is frequently affected by functional disorders. 



All of the blood that comes directly from the intestine is re- 

 ceived by the liver. It secretes the bile, neutralizes many of the 

 poisonous substances and end products of digestion that are 

 taken up by the absorbing vessels of the intestine, and acts as 

 a storehouse for the glycogen. 



It can be readily understood from this brief statement of 

 the nature of the liver functions, that any functional disorder 

 of the liver may be far reaching in its effect. In many of the 

 diseases that involve other organs, the liver may be ^Ji'iniarily 

 affected. It is difficult to diagnose functional disorders of the 

 liver that are responsible for a diseased condition of some other 

 body organ. A knowledge of the physiology and pathology of 

 the liver is of the greatest importance in the diagnosis of this 

 class of disorders. 



In the larger domestic animals, symptoms of liver diseases 

 are more obscure than in the small animals. In certain parasitic 

 diseases and in mixed and specific infectious diseases, the liver 

 may show marked pathological changes. 



Common Causes of Liver Disorders. — Domestic animals 

 co m monly live under very unnatural conditions. Ill results 

 do not follow unless these conditions are so extreme as to violate 

 practically all of the health laws. Pampered animals are espe- 

 cially prone to liver disorders. The feeding of too heavy and 

 too concentrated a ration together with insufficient exercise is 

 one of the most common causes of disorders of the liver. The 



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