CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER. FIBROID DEGENE- 

 RATION. 



Definition Increase of connective tissue, decrease of gland parenchyma. 

 Causes : in man, alcoholism ; in animals, chronic heart disease, chronic re- 

 current peri- hepatitis, biliary obstruction, toxins. In horse, age, emphyse- 

 ma, unwholesome fodders, vegetable alkaloids, infection. Symptoms : pros- 

 tration, hebetude, impaired appetite, colics, constipation, later diarrhoea, 

 unthriftiness, emaciation, dropsy, icterus, ascites, intestinal catarrh, tender 

 hypochondrium, early fatigue. Lesions : increase of connective tissue, com- 

 pression and absorption of parenchymatous tissue, greatest around portal 

 vessels, thickening of fibrous stroma between capillaries of acini, shrunken, 

 granular, pigmented liver cells. Treatment : salines, Glauber salts, diure- 

 tics, sodium carbonate, or iodide, or salicylate, derivatives, mineial acids, 

 bitters, open air, laxative food, pure water. In cattle : obstruction to circu- 

 lation or the flow of bile ; advances from the vessels, causes absorption, 

 caseated foci, adhesions, enlarged liver. Symptoms : jaundice, yellow, red, 

 albuminous urine, chronic indigestion, tends to fatal though slow advance. 

 Treatment: green food, open air .life, saline laxatives, alkalies. In dog: 

 common following heart disease, parasites, bacteria. Lesions : Congested 

 brownish red liver, fibroid increase from Glisson's capsule, compression of 

 acini, their elevation above surface, fatty and pigmentary degeneration of 

 hepatic cells, increasing sclerosis. Symptoms : as in parenchymatous he- 

 patitis with slower advance, in time tender loins, brownish or reddish urine, 

 ascites, intestinal catarrh, it may be icterus. Treatment : Correct cardiac 

 troubles, digitalis, strophanthus, and intestinal, careful diet, mineral acids, 

 bitters, pure water, saline laxatives, antiseptics, alkaline diuretics. Potassi- 

 um iodide. Derivatives. Draw off liquid. Laxative non-stimulating diet. 



Definition. An interstitial inflammation of the liver charac- 

 terized by a great increase of the connective tissue and compres- 

 sion, atrophy and degeneration of the glandular elements. 



The same final result may undoubtedly originate in various 

 different primary morbid processes. 



In man cirrhosis is looked upon as almost always the result of 

 abuse of alcohol. In animals this cannot be the case, apart 

 from a few kept in connection with breweries or distilleries. 



In heart disease a long continued mechanical congestion of the 

 liver causes compression and degeneration of the secreting cells 

 in the centre of the acini (around the intralobular veins), while 

 the peripheral portions undergo cell proliferation arid increase of 

 connective tissue. 



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