HYDATIDS IN THE ABDOMINAL VISCERA. 155 



liarities which depend upon the structure, function, 

 position, and relations of that organ. 



Sometimes only a single hydatid cyst exists in 

 tlie hepatic substance, but frequently two or three, 

 and occasionally five or six, or even more, may be 

 found ; at the same time, hydatids may be met with 

 in other viscera, and, generally speaking, when 

 hydatids exist elsewhere, the liver will also be found 

 to be attacked by these entozoa. 



The hydatids of this organ are very slowly 

 developed ; if they are single, they seldom give rise 

 to any functional disorder until they have acquired a 

 large bulk. Digestion and nutrition are accomphshed 

 in a normal manner ; there is no pain, or if any exist 

 it is of a vague nature, and consists rather in a 

 sensation of weight and of distention than of actual 

 suffering. These sensations occupy the epigastric 

 region, the right hypochondrium, and sometimes the 

 right shoulder. 



When the cyst has attained to considerable 

 dimensions, the liver becomes atrophied. If no 

 special complications supervene, emaciation and con- 

 stitutional disturbance are now present, and the 

 patient finally succumbs to the effects of the wasting, 

 which can only be attributed to the destruction of 

 the secretory function of the liver- 

 It seldom happens that a single cyst induces 

 complete atrophy, as that part of the organ which 

 escapes compression may suffice for the maintenance 

 of the hepatic functions. When several cysts attack 

 the liver, the systemic wasting is more certain and 

 more rapid, and serious complications, such as erysi- 

 pelas, pneumonia,, pleurisy, and peritonitis, frequently 



