SECTION VIII 



DISEASES OF THE LIVER 

 Icterus or Jaundice 



ICTERUS cannot properly be called a disease per 

 se, but is really only a symptom of some other 

 disease affecting the liver or its ducts. Since diverse 

 causes may produce icterus, it is necessary for pur- 

 poses of clinical description to classify the various 

 forms of icterus according to their etiologicaJ 

 factors. 



Catarrhal Jaundice 

 Catarrhal, jaundice occurs usually in connection 

 with gastroduodenal catarrh, the catarrhal condition 

 extending up the ductus choledochus, the duct be- 

 coming blocked by the subsequent swelling and 

 formation of mucus. The bile is thus prevented from 

 reaching the bowel and dams back to the liver, 

 where it is reabsorbed into the circulation. 



Symptoms. — In addition to the symptoms appear- 

 ing in the course of an attack of gastroduodenal 

 catarrh, the visible mucous membranes are found to 

 be stained a characteristic yellow color. Later on 

 bile may be found in the saliva, urine, and milk 

 of nursing bitches. Lastly the skin becomes deeply 

 stained, and if the stenosis of the duct is complete 

 cholemia supervenes with a fatal termination. Its 

 advent is recognized by great weakness, fall of tem- 

 perature, slow, weak pulse, and increase of icteric 

 symptoms. The patient dies in coma. In addition 

 to the foregoing signs, the absence of the bile in the 

 intestinal tract seriously interferes with the diges- 

 tive processes, peristalsis is diminished, and the 



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