242 DISEASES OF THE LIVER 



and cachexia, occurring in the later stages of chronic diseases, 

 carcinomatosis and sarcomatosis, general inanition, etc. 

 These conditions result in an insufficient supply of blood, 

 therefore incomplete oxidation, (c) Passive congestion of 

 the liver due to valvular insufficiency of the heart, (d) 

 Poisonings, such as phosphorus, arsenic, mercury, etc., which 

 are very common in small animals. Ptomaines from meats 

 will produce a similar effect, (e) Infections developing 

 in the intestinal tract, as distemper, infectious diarrheas, 

 etc., the toxins of which are carried to the liver through the 

 portal vein. General infection, such as by pyogenic organ- 

 isms, will produce the same effect on the liver. 



It is quite evident that the majority of cases of fatty liver 

 develop through a deficient oxidation. 



Pathology.— The liver is enlarged, often twice the normal 

 size, the specific gravity lessened, and the resistance reduced. 

 It is pale yellow in color, or yellowish areas or streaks are 

 seen on the surface. The surface is smooth, and the edges 

 somewhat rounded. On cross-section it is usually pale, 

 anemic, and fat globules which adhere to the knife are often 

 noted. In cases of passive congestion the characteristic 

 appearance of nutmeg liver is observed (dark center and 

 light periphery of the lobules) . 



Symptoms.— The symptoms of fatty liver are very obscure, 

 and not sufficient in most cases to make an accurate diagnosis 

 intra vitam. 



AMYLOID LIVER. 



Definition.— A degenerative process of the liver charac- 

 terized by the conversion of the proteins of the tissues into 

 a structureless, homogeneous substance called lardacein. 



Etiology.— This condition results most commonly in animals 

 from the absorption of the toxins of pyogenic organisms. It 

 requires for its production a long time and a persistent and 

 continuous infection. It is not a very common condition in 

 animals, and usually accompanies a general amyloid degen- 

 eration of other organs. 



Pathology. —The liver is enlarged, sometimes two or three 

 times its normal size, and the edges are rounded or blunt. 



