314 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



may also open into the intestine, the stomach, or even externally ; 

 they rarely become encysted in the splenic parenchyma. 



If the anatomical alterations of splenitis have been neglected up 

 to the present time, the study of pyemic infarcts of the spleen, in 

 their different stages of evolution, has permitted us to recognize 

 that inflammation follows the same course in this organ as in the 

 other viscera. It is marked there by hyperemia and by softening 

 through a kind of hepatization due to hypergenesis of the ele- 

 ments of the splenic pulp, and to the thickening, induration, and 

 softening of the fibrous trabeculse which constitute the frame of the 

 organ. When splenitis has ended in suppuration the section pre- 

 sents numerous small purulent centres, or more or less voluminous 

 abscesses. We may detect disorders produced by the opening of 

 the abscess into the peritoneum. Rarely are found old splenitic 

 lesions or cicatricial spots marking the disappearance of the abscesses 

 and the resorption of the pus. 



We would advise opposing the splenitis by bloodletting, refriger- 

 ants, revulsives or vesicants applied upon the left hypochondrium. 

 Cruzel recommends combating acute and subacute splenitis of the 

 ox by the following means : free bleeding, which is to be repeated 

 when indicated — that is to say, if resolution is not sufficiently 

 prompt ; cold aflusions upon the left hypochondrium ; drinks, and 

 mild clysters. 



III. RUPTURE OF THE SPLEEN. 



Rupture of the spleen is ordinarily the result of a penetrating 

 traumatism or of some external violence, which action is felt upon the 

 left hypochondrium. In some cases, especially in the ox, there seems 

 to be a possibility of its origin in a sudden and intense congestion 

 of the organ; the parenchyma and capsule which surround it would 

 give way under the pressure of the blood, and this would be dis- 

 charged into the peritoneal cavity (Cruzel, Lafosse). But ruptures 

 of the spleen are almost always of a traumatic nature, and coexist 

 with other lesions of the same kind, involving certain abdominal 

 organs, mainly the liver. 



Ruptures may be produced on any part of the spleen ; whether 

 single or multiple, superficial or deep, complete or incomplete, they 

 are very variable in their shape and extent. Sometimes the splenic 

 capsule resists and forms embossments which are due to the blood 



