EPITHELIAL MOVEMENT 557 



Analogous experiments were made with pieces of cornea in 

 which an epithelial defect existed at one extreme end and in which 

 the tissue at the other end had been killed; similarly, the cell 

 movement on a burnt wound was compared with a control prep- 

 aration, in which the underlying tissue was left intact with simply 

 an epithelial defect. 



The use of tissue, vitally stained by neutral red^ or nile blue, 

 facilitated the observation of epithelial movement on such 

 wound surfaces. 



Analogous observations were made by using the surface of the 

 cartilaginous layer of the sclerotic coat of the frog's eye. This 

 tissue could readily be isolated from the other layers after boiling, 

 and it was then thoroughly washed before using. It was trans- 

 lucent, showing characteristic convexity, which admirably fitted 

 on the inner surface of the similarly curved cornea ; even without 

 any pressing, the two tissues would lie so closely together in 

 the culture medium (serum) that the epithelium from the cut 

 ends of cornea crept over the cartilage. It proved helpful, how- 

 ever, if the pieces were slightly pressed together. 



Out of twenty-six experiments, movement of the epithelium 

 over the cartilaginous plate took place in twenty-one; in three 

 cases no movement was observed owing to injury of cells. An 

 example of this is illustrated in figures. 4 and 5. 



2. Moveynent of fiber-like supports 



Next, the response of the epithelium to the various fiber-like 

 supports were tested, such as spider web, silk fiber, glass wool, 

 and asbestos. 



a. Spider web as support. Experiments were made similar to 

 those of Harrison ('14), using spider webs. In each preparation 

 a sufficient quantity of serum was used as culture medium. 



Figure 6 represents one of the preparations of the series ; many 

 cultures were found where the cells clung to the fibers. Out of 

 thirty cultures twenty-four were positive, four doubtful, two 

 infected. 



- S. Matsumoto. Demonstration of epithelial movement by the use of vital 

 staining. This paper will appear in the next number of this journal. 



