182 
tance being connected by a vascular cellular 
tissue, which is often of a dark colour, a con- 
trast between this and the yellow substance of 
the acini is produced. A similar relation of 
the constituent parts of the liver exists in the 
embryo of the bird; in it the yellowish twig- 
like ramifications of the biliary canals are seen 
on the surface of the organ rising out of a 
reddish vascular tissue.” 
M. Dujardin, in an article entitled, “ Re- 
cherches Anatomiques et Microscopiques sur 
le Foie des Mammiferes,”* has advanced some 
opinions which he conceives will throw a doubt 
over the labours of Kiernan. . My space will 
not permit an analysis of his paper, but it 
will be obvious to all who may be disposed to 
read it, that he has not advanced a single new 
fact, but on the contrary has confessed the 
most imperfect and inadequate means of ex- 
amination. Thus, he observes, “ with an in- 
jection sufficiently fine we can inject the portal 
vein as far as the capillaries which surround 
the lobules.” Therefore, according to him, the 
interlobular veins are capillaries, and we need 
not wonder that with such injection he gets no 
further, but denies the existence of vessels in 
the lobules altogether. The lobules, he says, 
are composed of glutinous corpuscules or glo- 
bules, which leave channels between them, 
through which the corpuscules of the blood 
pass without alteration ; at the same time by an 
action analogous to the phenomena of absorp- 
tion and assimilation in the lower animals, 
these lobules separate from the serum the excre- 
mentitious particles which are excreted upon 
the surface of the lobule. The blood of the 
“ite vein is transmitted through the lobule 
y a kind of “ filtration organique,” and from 
it the resinous matters of the bile are elimi- 
nated ; the arteries, on the contrary, secrete the 
alkaline substances, which in the first instance 
dissolve the resinous substance, and afterwards 
constitute the true agents of digestion. M. 
Dujardin concludes his theoretical but inge- 
nious speculations with an excuse for being 
obliged to give them to the world in their pre- 
sent imperfect state, and promises to renew his 
researches with perseverance. I feel pleasure 
in recording his promise, and have no doubt 
that by better directed injections in the human 
liver, using size and vermilion in place of oils 
and varnish, he will be induced to modify 
his views with regard to this most interesting 
organ. 
PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY OF THE LIVER.— 
If we consult the works of pathological writers 
upon this subject, we shall o e at every ste 
of our progress the greatest ambiguity and dif- 
ference of opinion to exist. The reasons for 
this want of consent upon the true nature of 
the diseases of so important an organ are not 
to be ascribed either to want of talented ob- 
servers or of excellent observations, but solely 
to the ignorance which has hitherto prevailed 
with regard to the exact anatomy of the organ. 
I have shewn that the most celebrated authors 
found it necessary in starting with their in- 
* Annales Frangaises et Etrangéres d’Ana- 
tomie et Physiologie, 1838. 
ABNORMAL ANATOMY OF THE LIVER. 
quiries to establish for their guidance a theory 
of the structure of the liver; sen theory was 
based upon imagination or upou - 
poe ay mm upon art frail” taniy he 
crumbling superstructure of their pathological 
deductions is supported. The hype or 
atrophy of the white or of the red subst 
and the wild speculations of pathe 
theorists, have now fallen into the shade bet 
the light which recent discoveries have throt 
upon the anatomy of the liver. Intimate 
associated with that anatomy, and with 
knowledge of the distribution of the 
the explanation of the mode in which 
circulation is performed, and the elucidation | 
the causes which may give rise to impedime 
in its course ; in other words, the pring ples 
congestion. Indeed, so closely allied is 
condition with the natural circulation, th 
Kiernan, in his paper upon the Anatomy: 
Physiology of the Liver, has deemed it a part” 
of the subject to explain the various conge 
tions to which the organ is liable, t 
manner in which they may be imitated ar 
ficially. Upon this point we have, therefé 
precise information, and the history of ¢o 
gestion we may regard with a feeling of sati 
faction. The same observations, with the exé 
anatomy of the liver as a basis, have not 
et been extended to its diseases; our knc 
edge of these is therefore pt impe 
fect. Kiernan concludes his paper with a par 
graph of much importance to this brane 
pathology :—“ While engaged in the 
nation of the natural structure of the liver, 
have not been inattentive to the changes pr 
duced in it by disease; and, with the pern 
sion of the Society, I propose submitting to it 
consideration a paper on the morbid anato 
of this organ.” Now this was written in 183: 
and I trust that the time is not far di : 
when the additional labours of that exe 
observer will be placed in the hands of the 
fession. 
In the arrangement of the diseases of 
liver I have adopted a physiological order, ; 
shall consider its morbid conditions under 
seven following heads :— , 
. Diseases of the serous membrane. 
. Diseases of the mucous membrane. 
. Disorders of the venous circulation. 
. Disorders of biliary excretion. 
. Diseases of the parenchyma. 
. Disorders of function. = 
. Entozoa. iy. 
. Diseases of the serous membrane.—The 
serous covering of the liver, like serous me 
branes in other parts of the body, is liabl 
acute inflammation. The effects of this inflam 
mation are also similar; the capillary vessels 
become over-distended and lose their power of 
contraction ; coagulable lymph is effused upon — 
Mt 
the surface of the organ, and causes its me@- — 
chanical cohesion to the contiguous serous 
membrane; the coagulable lymph becomes 
organised by the development of new capillary — 
vessels from the meshes of the old, and th % 
adhesions are traversed by vessels of larger 
size, and constitute a permanent bond of 
tts 
ropny | 
Pr. 
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KF NOGC RON 
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