246 TEXAS FEVER 



In the abdominal cavit}' there are frequentlj^ oedematous 

 areas about the kidneys and in the portal regions between the 

 duodenum and liver. The omentum is often sprinkled with 

 peculiar hj'peremic patches consisting of delicate shreds of 

 vascular tissue. This condition, however, is not characteristic 

 of Texas fever. 



Usually the most conspicuous changes are in the spleen. 

 This organ is much enlarged and increased from two to four 

 times its normal weight. The normal markings, Malpighian 

 bodies and trabeculae, are hidden in the dark browish-red, 

 glistening pulp which distends the capsule. The pulp may be 

 firm or it may be in a semi-fluid condition so that it oozes out 

 if the surface is cut. The enlargement and color of the spleen 

 are due to an engorgement of red blood cells. There may 

 also be present a greater or less number of large cells contain- 

 ing granules, red corpuscles or clumps of yellowish pigment. 

 Free pigment is much more abundant than it is in liealthy 

 spleens. 



The liver is extensively affected. It is enlarged, con- 

 gested, edges rounded, the bile ducts more or less distended 

 and the parenchyma is usually in a state of fatty degenera- 

 tion. The color is paler than normal and usually the surface 

 is somewhat mottled. On section the color of the cut surface 

 is brownish-yellow or it ma}^ be mottled like the surface. The 

 mottling is due to a discoloration due to degeneration of a zone 

 bordering the intralobular vein. This zone varies in width 

 and its peculiar color seems to be due to a tendency to necrosis. 

 It is characterized by parenchymatous degeneration and the 

 loss of the nucleus. It may involve a third or more of the 

 lobule. This portion stains very feebly or not at all. The 

 ■explanation for the necrosis of the liver cells is suggested by 

 Smith as being due to the plugging up of the ultimate bile 

 canals with solid bile which may interfere in some way with 

 the nutrition of the adjacent liver cells. The bile stasis he 

 considers as a result of the breaking up in the capillaries ot 

 the liver of enormous numbers of infected corpuscles. This 

 results in an abnormal fluid containing an excess of solids 

 which the bile ducts are unable to carry away. When 



