NECROSIS OF THE LIVER 171 



Treatment. — ^No satisfactory treatment for the disease is 

 known. Of great importance is the prevention which con- 

 sists in the destruction of all echinococcus cysts found on 

 postmortem and the use of teniafuges to drive out the 

 adult parasite in dogs. 



RUPTURE OF THE LIVER. 



Definition. — Rupture of the liver with hemorrhage into the 

 abdominal cavity. 



Etiology. — The causes are generally traumatic (falls, kicks, 

 jumping, overexertion, etc.) or more rarely rupture may 

 occur spontaneously from fatty liver, carcinoma of the 

 liver, or in primary, or secondary (anthrax, purpura) hepa- 

 titis. It can result from amyloid liver and embolism. 

 Phosphorus poisoning may also be a cause. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of rupture of the liver attended 

 by marked hemorrhage are those of internal hemorrhage, 

 such as pale mucous membranes, imperceptible pulse, gen- 

 eral sweating and staggering gait. Death usually ensues in 

 about one to ten hours. Small hemorrhages may heal under 

 cicatrization. 



Treatment. — Treatment is rarely successful unless the hem- 

 orrhage is relatively slight. Recommended are subcutaneous 

 doses of ergot (3ij)) hydrastis or adrenalin (1 to 5 c.c. of a 

 1 to 1000 solution for each 250 pounds body weight). To 

 strengthen the heart oil of camphor may be given. 



NECROSIS OF THE LIVER. 



Definition. — A multiple necrosis of the liver is a process 

 characterized on necropsy by pea- to walnut-sized, dry, 

 yellow, circumscribed centers in the livers of cattle, swine 

 and sheep. It is due to the necrosis bacillus. Fibrinous 

 peritonitis frequently attends the condition. 



Symptoms. — ^The symptoms are very vague and consist in 

 an enlargement of the liver, sensitiveness over the region 

 of the liver, high fever, languor, disturbance in appetite, 

 alternating constipation and diarrhea. 



Treatment. — The disorder, which can be rarely diagnosed, 

 does not yield to treatment. 



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