542 PRTISCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



mentary granules, especially around the nuclei. Sometimes 

 the protoplasm is so loaded with pigment that the nuclei are 

 imperceptible. The black granules are spread throughout 

 an entire lobule, but are more abundant in the center. The 

 periphery is somewhat more clear, and thus gives the sec- 

 tion the appearance of cardiac liver. At this phase the con- 

 nective tissue of the organ is but little modified. 



The melanotic sarcomata and the melanotic nodules are 

 sometimes so numerous that the organ is destroyed. The 

 surface of the liver is covered with a thick incrustation de- 

 posited on Glisson's capsule. The alterations vary accord- 



FiG. 63. 



Melanosis of the Spleen. Section through the Middle of the Organ. 



a. Cavernous Veins, b. Intervascular Bands with Their 



Fragments, c. Branch of Artery. (300 diameters. ) 



ing to the gravity and duration of the lesion. In every case 

 the organ has lost its smoothness. Its surface has become 

 irregular, mammillated or riddled with nodules, dependent 

 upon the number and size of the tumors, which are diffused 

 or confluent. In some cases they are chiefly found on one 

 lobe, while in others the whole parenchyma is affected. 

 They are separated by healthy tissue, which is slate colored, 

 and which encroaches on the prominent black portions. 

 The melano-sarcomata are of variable sizes. They become 

 as large as the fist, or even larger. Bouley mentions one 

 that weighed 24 kilograms. To the touch they are firm, 

 elastic, resistant and hard to dent with the finger. A re- 



