PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SUR«ERY 541 



with secondary nodules the size of a gall-nut, a hen's egg, 

 or even larger. The growths considerably enlarge the di- 

 mensions of the organ. It may be 90 centimeters to i meter 

 long, and instead of being-^ smooth, it exhibits ovoid, spher- 

 oidal or tuberous protuberances, and a brown color with 

 violet or bluish streaks. Sections show variegated colors, 

 deep red, inky and black. The tissue proper of the organ 

 may have entirely disappeared. Its consistency is increased 

 and scrapings stain paper like India ink. The serous mem- 

 brane and the fibrous stroma are thickened to several milli- 

 meters, forming a very solid framework. The tumor may 

 be ruptured by external violence and disseminate its black- 

 ish, manure-like product throughout the abdominal cavity. 



They are also found around the heart, in the coronary 

 furrows. Reboul found a veritable melanotic bandage ex- 

 tending around the heart between the auricles and ventricles, 

 and Vianet a melanotic growth of 25 kilograms investing the 

 arterial trunks that caused acute cardiac disorders. Some- 

 times these tumors invade the interior of the ventricles and 

 auricles or develop over the valves. The cardiac wall may 

 itself be invaded by nodules that develop in its own depth. 



The liver and the spleen are the most frequently afifected. 

 Melano-sarcomata, or simple melanosis, from slight pig- 

 mentation of the elements to pronounced overloading ob- 

 structions are encountered in these organs. The word "sar- 

 coma" has frequently been applied to these simple, nodular 

 melanoses. The pigmentation of the hepatic cells is observed 

 in cases of disseminated melanosis in the different parts of 

 the body. When the generalization is complete the pig- 

 mentation is well marked. The liver is wrinkled, very dai'k 

 and "hard, and has a uniform '■or marbling black tint. 



The section is dry and as tough as leather. It presents 

 the same aspect as the external surface. Scrapings show 

 little hepatic cells that are surcharged with accumulated pig- 



