2964 DISEASES OF THE WORSE.» | 
increase of fibrous tissue, especially in the kidneys, when it may result 
in the condition known as arterio-capillary fibrosis. Chronic endar- 
teritis is fruitful in the production of thrombus and atheroma. Ar- 
teritis may be limited to single trunks or it may affect, more or less, 
all the arteries of the body. Arteries which are at the seat of chronic 
endarteritis are liable to suffer degenerative changes, consisting 
chiefly of fatty degeneration, calcification, or the breaking down of 
the degenerated tissue, and the formation of erosions or ulcerlike 
openings in the inner coat. These erosions are frequently called 
atheromatous ulcers, and fragments of tissue from these ulcers may 
be carried into the circulation, forming emboli. Fibrinous thrombi 
are apt to form upon the roughened surface of the inner coat or upon 
the surface of the erosions. 
Fatty degeneration and calcification of the middle and outer coats 
may occur, and large, hard, calcareous plates project inward, upon 
which thrombi may form or may exist in connection with atheroma 
of the inner coat. When there is much thickening and increase of 
new tissue in the wall of the affected artery it may encroach upon the 
capacity of the vessel, and even lead to obliteration. This is often 
associated with interstitial inflammation of glandular organs. 
Treatment.—Carbonate of potassium in 1-dram doses, to be given 
in 4 ounces liquor acetate of ammonia every six hours; scalded bran 
sufficient to produce loosening of the bowels, and complete rest; 
externally, applications of hot water or hot hop infusion. 
ATHEROMA. 
Atheroma is a direct result of an existing chronic endarteritis, the 
lining membrane of the vessels being invariably involved to a greater 
or less degree. It is most frequently found in the arteries, although 
the veins may develop an atheromatous condition when exposed to 
any source of prolonged irritation. Atheroma may affect arteries in 
any part of the body; in some instances almost every vessel is dis- 
eased, in others only a few, or even parts of one vessel. It is a very 
common result of endocarditis extending into the aorta, which we 
find perhaps the most frequent seat of atheroma. As a result of this 
condition the affected vessel becomes impaired in its contractile 
power, loses its natural strength, and, in consequence of its inability 
to sustain its accustomed internal pressure, undergoes in many cases 
dilatation at the seat of disease, constituting aneurism. In an 
atheromatous vessel, calcareous deposits soon occur, which render it 
rigid, brittle, and subject to ulceration or rupture. In such vessels 
the contractility is destroyed, the middle coat atrophied and beyond 
repair. Atheroma in the vessels of the brain is a frequent cause of 
cerebral apoplexy. No symptoms are manifested by which we can 
recognize this condition during life. 
