CIRRHOSIS OF THE IvIVER. FIBROID DEGENERA- 

 TION. 



Definition. Increase of connective tissue, decrease of gland parenchyma. 

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

 recurrent peri-hepatitis, biliary obstruction, toxins. In horses : age, em- 

 physema, unwholesome fodders, vegetable alkaloids, infection. Symptoms: 

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

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

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

 compression 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, diuretics, sodium carbonate,, or iodide, or salicylate, derivatives, 

 mineral acids, bitters, open air, laxative food, pure water. In cattle : ob- 

 struction to circulation 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 laxa- 

 tives, alkalies. In dog : common following heart disease, parasites, bac- 

 teria. Lesions : Congested brownish red liver, fibroid increase from Glis- 

 son's capsule, compression of acini, their elevation above surface, fatty and 

 pigmentary degeneration of hepatic cells, increasing sclerosis. Symptoms : 

 as in parenchymatous hepatitis 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. Potassium 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 ti.ssue and compress- 

 ion, atrophy and degeneration of the glandular elements. 



The same final result may undoubtedly originate in various 

 different primary morbid proces.ses. 



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 and increase of 

 connective tissue. 

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