Hepatitis and hepatic abscess : their ætiology, diagnosis and treatment / by G. Harrison Younge.

  • Younge, G. Harrison.
Date:
1889
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hepatitis and hepatic abscess : their ætiology, diagnosis and treatment / by G. Harrison Younge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    has to rid the system of the products of excessive blood destruction. It is this combined strain which causes hepatic exhaustion. The recent experiments of Dr. W. Hunter {Lancet, vol. ii, 1888) have thrown new light on this subject. By injecting pyrogallic acid, toluylen- diamin, and other substances into the blood he produced rapid destruction of the red corpuscles. Amongst many other interesting results he found that this was quickly followed by derangement of the hepatic functions; and by an augmented flow of bile, which rapidly became increased in consistence, very viscid, and stagnated in the bile ducts. At the same time the liver and spleen became enlarged. In fact, Dr. W. Hunter had produced experimentally that condition of the liver, which the writer had described as always preceding hepatic exhaustion {Indian Medical Gazette, 1887-88). Even in temperate climates long-continued exposure to artificial heat may cause hepatic exhaustion and abscess of the liver. This is occasionally seen in furnace-men, and others who are exposed to great heat in close ill-ventilated rooms. In the Pathological “ Transactions,” vol. iv, Dr. George Harley has recorded a case of large abscess of the liver occurring in a young woman, who had never been out of England, “ in whom the only exciting cause seemed to be living in a close hot room in a damp situation.” Hepatic exhaustion having been excited other in- fluences soon come into play. The obstruction to the portal circulation gives rise to congestion and catarrh of the stomach and intestines, and these in their turn pro- duce derangement of digestion. Dr. Lauder Brunton has shown that during attacks of dyspepsia ptomaines are abundantly formed in the stomach and intestines ; and that these being absorbed, produce a form of toxaemia. Thus, as the result of hepatic exhaustion we have conditions, which eminently favoiir the development of inflammation of the liver. The vitality of the hepatic