186 
formes acini, in figuris ramosis et foliatis varié 
dispositis.” Now the truth is, that this section 
is im the second stage of hepatic venous con- 
gestion, and the “figuris ramosis et foliatis” 
are simply the uncongested portions of the 
lobules, of a lighter colour than the rest, and 
presenting the foliated and ramous appearance 
which is common to this form of congestion. 
The “fines ductuum biliferorum elongati seu 
cylindriformes acini” are obviously imaginary. 
e dark lines in the centre of the foliated ra- 
mifications are small branches of the portal 
vein lodged in interlobular fissures. If the 
twigs given off by these branches be made to 
unite with each other, we shall then have the 
true form of the lobules. This has been done 
in fig. 45, upon a part of Miiller’s drawing, for 
the purpose of shewing how the error has 
arisen, and how the form of the lobules may be 
restored. This appearance of the congested 
liver is by no means unfrequent in occurrence, 
and I subjoin a careful and accurate drawing 
of a similar arrangement in the human liver, 
fig. 46,) for the purpose of comparison with 
that of Miiller. 
Fig. 46. 
» 
= 
= 
y 8 
Section of a portion of liver exhibiting ic venous 
pals Sa an the ond sage cardi dence 
from nature by Bagg, and to be compared 
with Miiller’s figure. 
a, The portal vein in an interlobular fissure, giv- 
ing off small twigs to adjoining fissures, and sur- 
rounded by the uncongested portion of the liver. 
b, The form of a few of the lobules is shewn. c, Ir- 
regular patches of uncongested liver, as in Miiller’s 
figure; the space in the centre of each being an 
interlobular space. d, Interlobularspaces. e, The 
congested portion of the liver. 
Coming from so high an authority.as Miiller, 
this figure has been copied without hesitation 
by several writers, together with the explanation 
given of it by the author. Mr. Grainger has 
introduced it into his article upon the glands in 
this Cyclopedia, fig. 217, page 485, and Mr. 
Carpenter has also given it a place in his recent 
excellent work * on physiology. In his text, 
* — of General and Comparative Phy- 
siology, 1839. 
ABNORMAL ANATOMY OF THE LIVER. 
the latter gentleman observes with to 
figure :—‘‘In the squirrel indeed’ teens al 
longations may be distinctly seen, the 
sacs being cylindrical in form, and clos 
packed together.” + 
Hepatic venous congestion in its most con 
mon form, viz., in the second stage, is t 
stumbling-block of all anatomists whe 
engaged in the investigation of the mi 
anatomy of the liver; and it is under 
head that I must now consider the view 
Cruveilhier with regard to the suppe 
mal anatomy of this organ. Isolated 
distribution of the vessels in the liver, h 
described the form and arrangement 
lobules with sufficient accuracy; but the 
must be remembered that his description 
written subsequently to the publication ¢ 
researches of Kiernan. But his concept 
the structure of the lobules is comp 
neous, for after combating the com 
of the existence of two distinct subst 
says :—“ Les deux couleurs jaune et | 
quand elles existent, n’appartient pas a¢ 
granulations distinctes, mais bien a la n 
granulation qui est jaune au centre, of 
trouve le bile, et rouge-brun a la circonférer 
ov se trouve le sang.” Now Kiernan has 
tinctly proved that the structure of the lob 
is the same throughout, and their colom 
also uniform. Craveilhier must therefore 
founded his opinion and his description uj 
a liver in the second stage of hepatic | 
as, in which there exists a paw lice 
of lobules having the appearance of sma 
and variously shaped chem of a yellov 
colour, situated at regular intervals, and § 
rounded by a reddish brown substance. T 
tah spots are seen in figs. 43, 45 & 
ey are the clusters-of terminal bilia y du 
of Miiller,—the central portions of the lobi 
of the liver of Cruveilhier; but if they b 
amined carefully, their true nature will becor 
clearly apparent. They are actually the 
congested portions of the lobules of a liver 
the state of hepatic venous congestion at 
second stage, and have each an inte 
space fora centre. In the next passage C 
veilhier observes :—‘ Le foie humain, excey 
dans les cas de dévelopment considérable 
granulations, se prete difficilement a leur etu 
vu leur petitesse.” Here again in the wor 
“ dévelopment considérable,” we perceive ; 
idea founded upon the same erroneous if 
pee with regard to the structure of | 
obules. The real lobules are as nearly as p 
sible of the same size in the liver of ever 
individual, but these imagi ob 
Cruveilhier, having mic 
the hepatic substance for centres, necessari 
vary in size and form with the degree of « 
gestion, and hence have given rise to the ide 
of an increased development of the lobules 
Again, the true lobules are not so small in the” 
human liver as to render their examination 
difficult ; they may be seen distinctly with the 
naked eye, and with the commonest lens may be 
examined accurately. But in the congested 
. 
porto 
r 
‘. 
