ATROPHY OF THE LIVER 83 



ACUTE YELLOW ATROPHY OF THE LIVER 



This is a rare disease in general. In the neighborhood 

 of smelters and paint works it occurs often from the in- 

 gestion of foliage soiled with poisonous fumes or smoke. 

 As an accidental disease it may occur in any region at 

 any time after an animal indulges an abnormal appetite 

 on articles containing phosphorus or other active poi- 

 sons. Also, as a sporadic disease, it may develop from 

 unknown causes at any time in any locality. However, 

 as has been pointed out, the disease is a rare one. In a 

 life-time of practice one might see half a dozen eases. 



From a pathological standpoint the disease is an acute 

 fatty degeneration of the liver cells, which runs its course 

 in a few days, and in almost every instance terminating 

 in death. 



The onset of an attack of acute yellow atrophy of the 

 liver is always sudden. Usually the attack begins with 

 a mild colic. The pains are not severe and do not remain 

 long, an hour or two at the most. They are at once fol- 

 lowed by the symptom complex about to be described. 



First, with the disappearance of the colicky pains, 

 there appears great depression. This is so marked as to 

 resemble severe shock. The pulse is lost, and the tem- 

 perature, which was raised several degrees during the 

 time the colic persisted, begins to drop. In a few hours 

 it may be several degrees subnormal. 



Second. The visible mucous membranes are icteric. 

 At first only a slightly yeUow tinge is seen, later they 

 become a dirty brown, or a greenish brown. 



Third. An uncontrollable diarrhoea sets in. The evac- 

 uations are at first normally colored, later they become 

 pale yellow, and finally have a gray tint. Before death 

 occurs these evacuations assume a thin, watery east and 

 give off a very disagreeable odor. Evacuation follows 



