The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-12-24

CepJ dI dOOOP-
sy. One frequently hears the ex-
preston that a drinkers stomach
is copper lined" Figuratively
speaking, that is so. The continued
use of alcohol hardens the lining OF
the stomach till 1t Is almost like
parchment and probably abSorbs
very little of the alcohol or foods
that enter 1t.
Effect of Irritation
In cirrhosis of the liver. the con-
tinued irritation causes an inflam-
matory action Of the walls Of the
secreting glands and tubes. The
lining swells. due to irritation. then
becomes hardened, causing SWELL
ing Of the liver. followed by shrink
ing Of the tissues. The mucous
membranes are replaced by con-
nective tissue and the ability Of the
liver to secrete bile is greatly
diminished, since its blood vessels
do not allow free circulation. This
Is probably not due to the direct
action of alcohol, but is due to the
toxins being formed in the blood.
The liver glands and cells be-
come hardened over the surface as
little knobs. giving the name OF
"hobnailed" liver. The liver sub
stance is diminished in size. The
dark red color Is changed to a dirty
yellow. hence the use OF the term
"cirrhosis." The flesh cuts with
difI1culty and the knife makes q
grating sound as if cutting through
sand.
It is a deceitful trouble, often adj
vaAcing to severe condition before
any signs appear. The patient feels
well. The appetite may be lost. but
that is common among steady
drinkers. There may be sick stom-
ach, attacks Of indigestion. consti-
patton or diarrhoea. and gradual
loss Of flesh and strength.
The first indications Of trouble
are likely to be marked enlarge
ment of the blood vessels in the
skin Of the abdomen. The spleen
often becomes noticeably enlarged
before other signs appear. Gradu-
ally, the circulation through the
liver Is impeded. causing the veins
to become prominent. The indica-
tons of the obstruction In circula-
ton appear in the form OF disten-
ton of the abdomen, a feeling OF
weight and pressure because of the
accumulation Of fluid in the It's
sues.
Great Distress
The gradual contraction Of the
newly formed connective tissue in
the liver retards the full flow Of
blood through the liver and we
have stagnation. This results in
the forcing of the fluid contents Of
the blood into the abdominal It's
sues. The resulting acites COR
dropsy) often becomes enormous.
Great quantities Of fluid accumu-
lated in the abdomen cause much
distention. Sometimes this is the
first sign of trouble that the pa
tent notices. This distention
causes great distress. shortness OF
breath, with tenderness. The pa
tient cannot lie down, sit up or
move around because Of the dis
tention.
In cirrhosis. the deposit Of fluid
Is below the chest. while in Bright's
disease 1t begins In the face and
hands. The two prominent signs Of
this disease are enlargement Of the
spleen and the accumulation OF
duid in the abdomen. II these do
not occur. q diagnosis Is almost i'm
possible.
The treatment consists Of de-
creasing the consumption Of alco-
hol, and administering drugs to aid
the bowels and kidneys to carry
away the excess fluid. Calomel and
salts are the chief remedies to ac-
complish this. Very often 1t Is nee
eosary to tap the abdominal cavity
and draw on the fluids. Several
SALONS may be withdrawn at one
time.
This affords temporary relief.
but may have to be repeated many
times. Finally, the heart Is so
strained In the effort to force blood
through this obstruction that its
muscles fail. or pneumonia devel-
ops. which wipes out the picture.
CAFE All lat