JAUNDICE (ME. jaundys, javnes, from OF. jaunisse, jaulnisse, Fr, jannisse, yellowness, from OF. inane, imam-, yellow', from Lat. galbinus, from galhus, yellow). or !UTERUS. The yellow color of the skin, conjimetiva, etc.. arising from the presence in the blood and tissues of the color ing matter of the bile. Jaundice is a symptom of disease, not a disease itself. The fieces, from the absence of bile, are of a clay color or light gray tint the urine is deep saffron color, and all the other secretions are tinted with bile. The tis sues are also stained, as shown at autopsies, the cut surface of the kidneys being especially yellow. The coloring matter of the bile comes from the hamoglobin of the blood, Which is transformed into bilirubin. The transformation takes place in the hepatic cells.
l•terus is due to one of two causes: (1) Meehanical obstruction of the flow of bile into the duodenum (see LIVER, DISEASES OF), or stasis irterus: and (2) functional alteration of the he patic cell, resulting in the production of pig mentary polycholia. Stasis ictenms results from pressure on the gall-duct of common bile-duet, of a tumor or new growth, such as cancer of stomach, of duodenum. of liver, or of pancreas; or frees in the intestine; or blocking of the gall-duct by a gall-stone, or blocking of the com mon bile-duct by swelling of the mucous lining and an accumulation of In nens. A gall-stone or biliary calculus (see CALCULUS) causes exquisite pain when lodged in or passing through the gall duct. After the endohiliary tension has reached
a certain limit, the lymphatics begin to absorb the bile, and carry it to the thoracic duet, which in turn empties it into the veins. The reabsorp tion of the bile depends on the bile pressure's being relatively greater than the blood pressure in the portal vein. Jaundice therefore occurs in time new-born babe, in some cases, because ligature of the umbilical cord prevents time blood from flowing front the umbilical to the portal vein. The jaundice of fasting is accounted for by the diminution of pressure in the portal sys tem, owing to insufficient intestinal absorption. Functional alteration of the hepatic cell occurs in phosphorus poisoning, and in grave infective conditions, such as yellow fever. In yellow fever there is enormous destruction of the red cells of the blood, but there is also altered biliary function of the liver-•ells. with a consequent in spissation of the bile. Semmola and Gioffredi classify icterus, according to clinical types. into primary or secondary forms, as follows, without regard to our pathological knowledge of the sub ject: During the existence of jaundice changes in the diet should he made. fats being avoided and con stipation relieved. Mercury, chloride of ammo nium, phosphate of sodium, and hyposulphites are useful drugs.