CHAPTER V. 

 DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 



JAUNDICE. ICTERUS. 



Definition. — Jaundice, or icterus, is due to the deposit 

 of bile pigment in the organs of the body, especially in 

 the skin and mucous membranes. Jaundice is a symp- 

 tom and not a disease, and may be due to a ivariety of 

 conditions. From a pathological standpoint thi-ee forms 

 of jaundice are distinguished: (a) Catarrhal jaundice, 

 (b) hepatogenous jaundice, and (c) toxic jaundice. 



From a clinical standpoint three types of jaundice are 

 differentiable: (a) Obstructive jaundice, (b) malignant 

 jaundice, and (c) jaundice of the newborn. 



Obstructive Jaundice. — ^Definition. — Obstructive jaundice, 

 sometimes called catarrhal icterus, is the commonest form 

 in animals, especially dogs, and is. usually associated with 

 a gastro-intestinal catarrh which involves the duodenum, 

 leading to a tumefaction of the mucosa of the bile ducts. 

 As a result the bile cannot be properly eliminated, there- 

 fore, some of it is resorbed by the blood. Obstruction by 

 foreign bodies within the ducts (parasites, rarely gall-stones) 

 may be a cause. Obviously, tumors, enlarged lymph glands, 

 or even fecal accumulation, provided they press upon the 

 ducts, can have the same effect. The icterus, seen in influ- 

 enza of the horse is probably the result of catarrh of the 

 bile ducts, although it may be in part toxemic. 



Symptoms. — Obstructive jaundice usually begiiis with 

 symptoms of digestive distittbances (gastro-intestinal 

 catarrh). Later there develops a tinting of the mucous 

 membranes, skin and urine. The color ranges from a 

 lemon yellow (catarrhal icterus) to a deep olive green in 

 permanent obstruction (malignant icterus). In the urine 

 the presence of bile pigment may be determined chemically 



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