I9I2] Martin H. Fischer 457 



Are the fibrillce of an edematous connective tissue bloated? 

 (Page 311.) 



The connective tissue contains an increased amount of water. 



According to Fischer a frog leg immersed in water becomes edema- 

 tous as a result of postmortem acid formation primarily (autolytic 

 hydrolysis of carbohydrate?) and saline dialysis secondarily (removal 

 of inhibitive factors). But what about the possible effects of general 

 autolysis with its consequent protoplasmic discoördinations and pre- 

 liminary cumulative productions of additional hydrophilic molecules? 

 (Page 311.) 



I agree. But in the absence of quantitative studies no one yet 

 knows what relative importance is to be assigned to each of the 

 phenomena. 



Fischer does not touch on the well-known effects of the various 

 lymphagogues. This is an interesting and important Omission. Twelve 

 years ago Asher and P^ observed prolonged postmortem flow of thoracic 

 lymph from a dog. Others have since obtained similar results. What 

 in Fischer's view is the bearing on edema of such phenomena of lymph 

 flow? (Page 311.) 



My ideas on lymph formation cannot be discussed in the space 

 allowed me here. I have already dealt with the problem in my 

 paper on secretion and absorption. 



Does Fischer's theory explain " cedema ex vacuo " ? Are hereditary 

 edemas or neuropathic edemas, natural and experimental, readily ex- 

 plained by this theory ? (Page 311.) 



Modern pathologists have often wished that the term "oedema 

 ex vacuo" had never been coined, for it says nothing. If the col- 

 loidal theory of edema is really correct it will explain the " heredi- 

 tary" and "neuropathic" types even though the mechanism by 

 which these are brought about is not yet entirely analyzable. 

 Neither of these types is as " hereditary " or as " neuropathic " as 

 the older pathologists and clinicians were wont to believe. " Neu- 

 ropathic" edemas have not yet been produced " experimentally." 



"Asher and Gies: Zeitschrift für Biologie, 1900, xl, p. 207. 



