ICTERUS
Icterus is a rather common incoördination of infancy. It is characterized by yellowish discoloration of the skin produced by the accumulation of bile pigment. This is the result of an occlusion usually of the common bile duct, which prevents the bile from passing into the duodenum. There are two forms: the physiological and the pathological. In the physiological there is an inflammation in the mucous membrane lining the common bile duct. This causes a decrease in the size of the lumen, which obstructs the flow of bile. In the pathological there may be a complete obstruction due to malformation or there may be a congenital absence of the bile duct. While the common bile duct is the most common seat of the pathological type, yet the hepatic and cystic ducts may also be involved.