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. Symptoms The most prominent symptoms is the discoloration of the skin. In the severe obstructive jaundice the stools are white, the urine dark brown and bile-stained and the liver and spleen often enlarged. There may be severe convulsions. In the more common and less exaggerated cases the foregoing symptoms are present but in a milder form. There is typical jaundiced discoloration which in some cases will appear soon after birth. This will continue for a few days and may become quite marked. The stools will be colorless, while the urine will be highly colored. Equation and Family The equation is secretion plus (T+) and excretion minus (E-) for the accumulation of the bile. The family is the poison family. In case of temperature it overlaps the fever family. Major Adjustment The chiropractor must not conclude that the case is one of congenital malformation or absence of the bile duct merely because of the extreme discoloration of the infant. Cases have come under our observation in which the symptoms would all indicate that the case was hopeless, but under chiropractic adjustments they have recovered. It must be recognized, of course, that if there is a congenital absence of the bile duct the case is hopeless, but since there is no way of determining whether it is a mere obstruction or congenital absence, the case should by no means be considered hopeless. Every effort should be made to locate and adjust the subluxation. The subluxation will be found at liver place which must be adjusted in combination with kidney place. Kidney place is required for the elimination of the accumulated bile. These cases will respond very quickly and satisfactorily under chiropractic adjustments. CHAPTER VII MISCELLANEOUS CHAPTER VII MISCELLANEOUS MALNUTRITION