Black Pigmentation of the Hepatic Cells. 513 



noticed, weakness, lameness, ruffling of the feathers and attacks 

 of vertigo. Icterus, ascites and tenderness over the region of the 

 liver may all be absent. In the absence of ascites, tympany, or 

 an excess of fat in the smaller animals, manipulation may detect 

 the considerable enlargement of the liver, and the characteristic 

 smoothness, of its surface. In other cases some indication may, 

 at times, be had from the increased area of dullness on percussion. 

 Treatment is essentially unsatisfactory even if a correct diag- 

 nosis can be made. The most hopeful course would be to correct 

 the debilitating disease in which the amyloid .seems to have orig- 

 inated. Di-seased bones, ulcers, chronic suppurations, and ca- 

 tarrhs may be done away with, and at least any further advance 

 of the degeneration arrested. Open air exercise and a green or 

 otherwise' laxative diet would be indicated. The amyloid in lambs 

 fed on oats was corrected by a change of diet (Werner). As 

 medication the alteratives, potassium iodide and potassium arse- 

 niate have been mainly resorted to. Bitters and iron may also be 

 of use to build up the strength. The latter should be given with 

 potassium bicarbonate. 



BLACK PIGMENTATION OF THE HEPATIC CELLS. 

 BROWN ATROPHY. 



In horse. With melanoma and atrophy, or without, pigment granules 

 fill hepatic cells, liver becomes brown or black. In calves. In sheep. 

 Apart from melanosis, the real cause unknown. 



The accumulation of granules of black pigment in the hepatic 

 cells has been noticed in old and worn out horses (Louis Blanc, 

 Cadeac, Bruckmiiller), in calves (Degive, Cadeac), and in 

 sheep (Siedaragrotzky, Barrier). In horses '\\.\x2iS been found in 

 connection with atrophy, or in other cases, with melanotic tumors 

 in other parts. In atrophic cases the liver is small, puckered, 

 brown and dull, with a leathery appearance on .section, and vyith 

 the hepatic cells charged with pigment granules so that each 

 acinus has a stellate appearance from the radiating lines of cells. 

 This constitutes brown atrophy. 



33 



