578 
EXTRACTS FROM GERMAN PERIODICALS. 
which the vena cava posterior traces its course, an immense 
abscess cavity, seven inches in length by three in width; this 
cavity contained a quantity of inspissated pus. The wall’s, ex¬ 
cept that portion adjacent to, and immediately beneath the 
anterior border of the liver, consisted of a white connective 
tissue coating, varying in thickness from ^ to f of an inch ; 
the component fibers of the latter entered the parenchyma of 
the organ, extending in an arboreal network. The interior was 
of a healthy pink color. 
An irregular opening more than one-half inch in length, 
formed the means of communication between the abscess 
cavity and the lumen of the vena cava. 
The sides of the opening were, upon that portion corres¬ 
ponding to the abscess, smooth and rounded; while that por¬ 
tion, formerly the wall of the vein, was irregular and in shreds. 
Anterior to the rupture jnst described, a portion of the tunica 
ultima of the vena cava, about the size of a quarter dollar, had 
become loose and formed a pocket, opening backward. The 
free edge of this valve, as it may be called, was occupied by 
growths the size of a pin-head, and resembling warts in gen¬ 
eral appearance. The remaining portion of the vessels inner 
coat, adjacent to the foramen, was intensely reddened. 
. The development of those lesions has occured, in my opin¬ 
ion in the following manner: The primary cause was undoubt¬ 
edly the abscess; how this originated is impossible to say, 
though some may advance the theory of an echinococcus, yet 
no trace of a cyst wall could be detected, and no lesion of this 
nature could be located in the remaining organs of the cada¬ 
ver. 
From the texture and thickness of the walls of this growth, 
it is safe to presume that the same had taken a long time to 
reach its present dimensions. This inflammatory action 
within the growth very likely extended to the serous mem¬ 
brane covering it, and from there to the vena cava, causing 
adhesion between the liver capsule and vein; by this hermetic 
union, the external coat of the latter vessel was obliterated. 
1 he suppurative contents now came in contact with the tunica 
mlima, producing thereupon a certain amount of irritation 
