298 ASCORBIC ACID 



peared normal but the cortical cells showed fatty changes. Some of them 

 had foamy contents; others were distended with large drops of fat. At- 

 tempts to repeat these findings of effects presumably due to dehydroascor- 

 bic acid and other breakdown products of ascorbic acid have not been re- 

 ported. 



The conflicting reports on the effect of vitamin C on the structure and 

 content of the adrenal glands lead to the conclusion that further study of 

 the problem is necessary. 



d. Spleen 



The spleen becomes somewhat enlarged and congested in scurvy. Hojer^ 

 sums up the changes which he observed as "an atrophy of the lymphoid 

 tissue. To this has to be added hemosiderosis and sometimes hemorrhages.'- 

 Meyer** found that the spleens of scorbutic animals tended to be somewhat 

 congested and sometimes enlarged and firmer than those of normal animals. 

 Microscopic examination showed that degenerative changes were usually 

 to be found. 



e. Gastrointestinal Tract 



Bleeding, spongy gums are sometimes found in human scurvy. Ralli and 

 Sherry^*^* state that "the gum change that does seem to be due to a de- 

 ficiency of vitamin C is the hemorrhagic lesion which is associated with an 

 accumulation of blood in the gums. Many of the other gum changes are 

 probably due to underlying dental pathology." In contrast to human scurvy 

 the condition in the guinea pig is not characterized by hemorrhages or 

 ulceration of the gums. 



The salivary glands undergo an atrophy in scurvy which Hojer^ states 

 "can be demonstrated at an early stage, somewhat later than the first 

 changes in the teeth but earlier than the costal rib bone changes." 



Hess^' states that "lesions of the stomach are neither characteristic nor 

 as a rule very striking. Hemorrhages occur, the larger ones generally in the 

 subperitoneal layers, the smaller ones in any of the coats. Thickening of the 

 wall follows or accompanies these hemorrhages. Superficial erosions of the 

 mucosa or even ulcers may be seen." Since Hojer did not mention stomach 

 pathology, apparently he observed no characteristic changes in scurvy. 

 Meyer** found that ulceration of the mucosa was conmion in guinea pig 

 scurvy but he did not find fatty degeneration of the mucosa. Congestion 

 and hemorrhages were not unusual. Considera})le evidence is accumulating 

 that low food intake may be an important factor in the development of 

 hemorrhages of the gastrointestinal tract. 



»8<» E. P. Ralli and S. Sherry, Medicine 20, 251 (1941). 



