Perihepatitis. 501 



ments of the hepatic vessels. It is usually limited to certain spots 

 which become the seats of a yellowish gray exudation ^ with a 

 tendency to fibroid development and thickening, but sometimes 

 degenerating into pus. The deposits on the outer side of the he- 

 patic peritoneum may develop false membranes and fibrous adhe- 

 sions to surrounding objects, the diaphragm, omentum, .stomach 

 or intestine. The deposits under the peritoneum lead to similar 

 fibrous development with hypertrophy or thickening of the cap- 

 sule, the trabeculse extending thence into the liver and the vagi- 

 nal sheaths of the vessels. Such areas of thickening are revealed 

 as depressed spots or patches of a white color, and showing a firm 

 fibrous, pearly appearance when incised. Such lesions are not 

 uncommon in the livers of horses, cattle and swine. In the pig 

 they may have a violet, or brownish red color, but with spots of 

 other colors — grayi.sh or brownish (Kitt). 



Symptoms. Dopheide, who has studied the disease in cows 

 and to a less extent in horses, found a reduction in pulsations (26 

 per minute) and respirations (6 per minute) in connection with a 

 mild peritonitis, intestinal catarrh, colicy pains and diarrhoea. 

 The conjunctiva is pale, the pulse compressible, the respirations 

 unequal and accompanied by a moan, and the appetite impaired 

 or lost. 



If confined to mere spots on the liver, a restoration to appar- 

 ently vigorous health may take place, but if extensive it may lead 

 to compression and obstruction of tlie portal vein or bile duct, or 

 to compression and atrophy of the liver, with corresponding 

 symptoms. 



Treatment. As in other congestions of the liver, the use of' 

 salines to deplete the portal .system, and of alkaline diuretics are 

 especially indicated, to be followed by bitters and mineral acids. 

 Sinapisms and other counter irritants to the region of the liver are 

 of great service. If not complicated with abscess, or microbian 

 infection, cases of this kind will often do well. 



