CYSTS with serous or hemorrhagic contents are occasionally found, chiefly in the cortical part. They may be multiple. Hydatid cysts have been met with.
TUMORS are not very uncommon. Cancer may attack them primarily, but more often they are involved in secondary growths after carcinoma of stomach or other organs. They are not infrequently affected in cancer of the kidneys by direct extension of the growth. Sarcomas are also not uncommon, and may form large masses the size of the foetal head. They may be melanotic.
These varied pathological conditions are not usually associated with any special or distinctive symptoms, and in the great majority of cases have been unsuspected during life. The organs may be totally destroyed without inducing any of the phenomena of Addison's disease. In a few cases, however, bronzing of the skin has been met with.
DISEASES OF THE SPLEEN.
BY I. E. ATKINSON, M.D.
Morbid processes affecting the spleen have been and remain involved in great obscurity. Older writers, who were accustomed to reach their conclusions in great measure through the observation of symptoms alone, were obliged in the absence of anything like correct knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology to supply from the imagination most of their theories of disease. Untrammelled by the bonds of accurate investigation and ignorant of pathological anatomy, they found no difficulty in ascribing to various parts and organs peculiar groups of symptoms, both physical and moral; and for a number of these the spleen was held responsible. We now know that many of the symptoms thus supposed to indicate splenic disease depend upon alterations in other parts of the body, and may be observed in persons possessing perfectly healthy spleens. But while we have learned that symptoms formerly supposed to depend upon splenic disorder may, in reality, have nothing to do with this organ, we still remain ignorant of many of the real symptoms of splenic disease, as well as of many of the morbid conditions that induce them. Such knowledge as we have, however, is based upon comparisons of symptomatology with dead-house revelations and the experience of the laboratory, and, while as yet imperfect, cannot fail to increase under modern methods of research.
In order to begin the study of diseases of the spleen in an intelligent manner it is manifestly necessary to have some settled ideas regarding its anatomy and physiology. No apology is needed, therefore, for the brief anatomical and physiological descriptions that follow.