134 ENTOZOA FOUND IN MAN. 



less atrophied, and may even completely disappear in 

 consequence of the continuous development of the 

 foreign body which presses upon them. They may 

 also undergo considerable alterations in their struc- 

 ture, at least in that portion which is in immediate 

 relation with the hydatid, and which may become 

 condensed, and be entirely metamorphosed in its 

 constitution. The neighbouring viscera contract firm 

 adhesions with that which contains the cyst, and are 

 sometimes involved in similar structural changes. 



That part of the organ which is not in relation 

 with the cyst generally remains healthy; with the 

 exception, sometimes, of an increase in size. Dr. Da- 

 vaine states that he has observed, in several cases of 

 large hydatids of the liver, a granular state of that 

 portion of the parenchyma which has remained 

 sound ; he thinks that this is not connected with 

 cirrhosis, but that it is probably due to hypertrophy 

 of certain elements which exaggerate the healthy 

 granular appearance of the hepatic tissue ; and he 

 proceeds to suggest that in those parts which escape 

 the pressure of the cyst there would be produced an 

 hypertrophied condition analogous to that which 

 occurs in one of the kidneys, when the other kidney 

 is destroyed. 



In some cases, in consequence of external or other 

 injury, an inflammatory action is set up in the parts 

 in the vicinity of the cyst, and diffused purulent 

 depositions, usually of a small bulk, are formed. It 

 is doubtful whether the internal wall of the hydatid 

 pouch ever spontaneously becomes the seat of sup- 

 puration. Instances have been recorded in which 

 the suppurative process attacked the veins of the 



