144 , DISEASES OF THE LIVER 



Occurrence. — It is more common in calves, although 

 occasionally is met with in foals during the first few days 

 after birth. 



Etiology. — It seems to have several different causes: 

 constipation, which prevents the discharge of the meconium; 

 stenosis of the gall ducts; increased secretion of bile in the 

 first few days of life; reduced blood-pressure, and probably 

 diseases of the umbilical veins. 



Symptoms. — Symptoms are those of a catarrhal icterus 

 which in some instances is preceded by gastro-intestinal 

 disturbances. 



Prognosis. — The prognosis is bad, as the majority of cases 

 soon die. Those animals which do recover usually do so 

 when the digestive disturbance is relieved. ' 



Treatment. — Same as for catarrhal icterus. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. HEPATITIS. 



Definition. — By the term hepatitis we understand an inflam- 

 mation of the liver. Depending upon the seat^of the inflam- 

 mation, i. e., whether in the liver cells or interstitial tissue, the 

 course and the anatomical character of the inflammation, 

 three clinical forms may be distinguished: (a) parenchy- 

 matous hepatitis, (b) chronic interstitial hepatitis, and (c) 

 purulent hepatitis (abscess of the liver). 



Acute Parenchymatous.— Definition. — This consists in an 

 inflammation of the liver cells with cloudy swelling and 

 fatty infiltration of the same. 



Etiology. — The disorder is almost always a secondary 

 condition. Primary cases may be induced by numerous 

 toxic substances, such as spoiled food, poisonous plants, 

 phosphorus, or bacteria which are carried to the liver through 

 i the portal system, or occasionally through the umbilicus. 

 In the latter case the hepatitis may be enzootic, as occurs 

 in pigs and lambs. 



Hepatitis is secondary to many infectious diseases (septi- 

 cemia, influenza). It may also be secondary to poisoning 

 with phosphorus or arsenic. In some instances the cause is 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



