234 Gastric Glands of Dog after Gastroenterostomy 
merschlag, 96; Cohnheim, 96; Bockelman, 02, and others report similar 
observations. Lubarsch has seen it in cases of achylia gastrica. Ewald, 
93, and Meyer, 89, have illustrated it as occurring in chronic gastritis. 
Such transformation seems to a certain extent in accord with the 
conclusions of O. Hertwig, 98, according to whom cells of various kinds 
inherit equivalent potentialities, many of which they appear to lose 
gradually during the successive stages of their cytomorphosis, while as- 
suming more completely and exclusively the performance of special 
functions, but retaining throughout a large part of their life the ability 
to assume forms and functions quite different from those ordinarily asso- 
ciated with them, when subjected to the influence of varying external 
conditions. And while it seems quite possible that cells may attain so 
high a degree of specialization as to lose completely the power of under- 
going any further transformations, except degenerative ones, it must be 
borne in mind that, unfortunately, we possess no criterion by which this 
condition can be definitely determined. And since, as in the case of 
the ferment forming grandular elements of the dog’s stomach, many 
cells which appear to perform one very highly specialized function, and 
under normal conditions, present invariably associated morphological 
characteristics, may nevertheless retain the power of performing actively 
very different functions after undergoing great transformations, it is 
not possible to conclude that any cells are specific before subjecting them 
to prolonged study by experimental methods. 
In conclusion, it is a pleasure to express my gratitude to Prof. Bensley, 
under whose direction this work was done. 
SUMMARY. 
Cells possessing a special affinity for chromic acid salts and resembling 
closely the chromaffine cells, described by Kohn in the suprarenal gland 
and elsewhere, exist normally among the parietal cells of the dog’s 
stomach. 
After gastroenterostomy the mucous membrane within 7 mm. of the 
line of operation undergoes the following changes. 
The body chief cells, which are normally ferment-forming, become 
transformed into mucous-forming cells. This is a gradual process be- 
ginning immediately after the operation, at the line of suture, and 
extending radially about the anastomosis. It reaches its maximum extent 
of 7 mm. about three weeks after operation. Ferment cells in the next 
3 mm. show a tendency to this change, but do not undergo a complete 
transformation. After one month a reverse transformation commences, 
