and Laboratory Methods. 1263 



alveolar wall and extending along the fibrinous strands. He concludes that 

 organization proceeds (1) from the alveolar wall into the fibrin plugs : (2) from 

 one fibrin plug to another b}- the growth of connective-tissue through Cohn's 

 pores. J. H. p. 



c, ex- J T^- u ■ r u i" this study account was taken of the 



Flexner, S. xsature and Distribuuon of the ^ 



New Tissue in Cirrhosis of the Liver. ( Pre- normal and pathological distribution 



liminan- Communication.) Trans. Asso. ^f ^^e reticulum, the white fibroUS tis- 

 Am. Phys.. 15: 523, 1900. 



sue and the elastic tissue. 



Two methods were employed for the demonstration of the elastica. The 

 first was Unna's orcein stain, the other that of Weigert, which emplo5-s a resorcin 

 and fuchsin combination. Unna's method was unsatisfactorj^ because the stain- 

 ing was irregular and inconstant. Weigert's method gave uniformly good results. 



For the purpose of demonstrating the reticulum, the digestive method, as first 

 introduced by Wall, as well as the modification of Spalteholz, were utilized. By 

 these methods both fresh and preserved tissues in sections are digested in alka- 

 line solutions by means of pancreatin. when the parenchvmatous cells and elas- 

 tic tissue are completely removed. There remains behind a framework con- 

 sisting of white fibrous tissue and reticulum. 



In the study of the white fibrous tissue stained sections, both before and after 

 digestion, were employed. Mallor}"s specific stain was found of especial value 

 in demonstrating the fine fibrils of white fibrous tissue contained within the liver 

 lobules ; but inasmuch as this stain also colors the reticulum its use is somewhat 

 more limited than could be wished ; on the other hand, it apparently leaves the 

 elastic fibers unaffected. 



From his study he drew the following conclusions : 



1. In all forms of cirrhosis the white fibrous tissue is increased. 



2. Along with the increase of white fibrous tissue there is a new formation 

 of elastic tissue. This new elastic tissue is derived from pre-existing tissue in 

 the adventitia of blood vessels and the hepatic capsules. 



3. Both white fibrous and elastic tissue, in all forms of cirrhosis, may penetrate 

 into the lobules. This penetration takes place along the capillary walls or follows 

 the architecture of the reticulum. The chief distinctions between the histology 

 of atrophic and hypertrophic cirrhosis depend upon the degree of extra lobular 

 growth and the freedom with which the lobules are invaded. In hypertrophic 

 cirrhosis there would appear to be less interlobular growth, and an earlier and 

 finer intralobular growth. 



4. The alterations in the reticulum, per se, consist, as far as can be made 

 out at present, of hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia of the fibers. It is still 

 uncertain whether any of the differential methods now in use suffice to distin- 

 guish between the reticulum and certain fibers derived from the white fibrous 

 tissue of the periphery of the lobules. j. h. p. 



