. Elements of pathological anatomy. Anatomy. SECT. I.] TUBERCLES. 325 variegated brownish color, they give the liver a peculiar nut- meg-like appearance. (Fig. 73.) This state of the organ is said by Dr. Hope to be most p-^^ ^3_ prevalent in old dram-drinkers ; but it may also result from re- peated attacks of chronic irrita- tion, or from long-continued congestion.* Hence obstruction of the vena cava or hepatic veins seldom exists long without pro- ducing enlargement of this kind. In whatever form this species of hypertrophy occurs, the surface of the liver generally presents a singular mammi
. Elements of pathological anatomy. Anatomy. SECT. I.] TUBERCLES. 325 variegated brownish color, they give the liver a peculiar nut- meg-like appearance. (Fig. 73.) This state of the organ is said by Dr. Hope to be most p-^^ ^3_ prevalent in old dram-drinkers ; but it may also result from re- peated attacks of chronic irrita- tion, or from long-continued congestion.* Hence obstruction of the vena cava or hepatic veins seldom exists long without pro- ducing enlargement of this kind. In whatever form this species of hypertrophy occurs, the surface of the liver generally presents a singular mammillated aspect, as if it were raised into a multitude of spherical emi- nences ; the peritonasal coat is thickened, opaque, and wrin- kled ; and the volume of the organ is either diminished or aug- mented, seldom natural. In the former case, the hepatic texture is generally very dense, and almost destitute of moist- ure ; in the latter, it is usually somewhat soft, more or less vascular, and impregnated with thin, bloody matter, which can be easily squeezed out with the fingers. In both varie- ties, but more especially in the first, the hepatic tissue is often of a yellow tinge; and the bile being retained in the rootlets of the hepatic duct, exudes pretty freely on making sections of it. If, in this state, a portion of liver be macerated for ten or twelve days in water, the little granules will assume the appearance of adipocire, and may be easily washed out of their cellulo-fibrous capsules, leaving them in a soft, flocculent condition. Tubercles are of very common occurrence in the liver, be- ing either seated in its substance, or scattered over its surface, giving it, in the latter case, a very rough appearance. Lying in close contact with each other, or separated, as the case may be, by large intervals, these bodies are generally of a rounded shape, and of an opaque yellowish substance, in vari- ous degrees of maturation. Their size, although sometimes not exceedin
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Keywords: ., bookauthorgr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectanatomy
