20 DR. BKALE, OX THE TISSUES. 



nor to the communicating system of channels in a tissue 

 composed of stellate branching cellsj but are mere spaces 

 left daring the rapid formation of a tissue impermeable to 

 fluids. 



Remarks on the intercellular substance [formed material) of 

 connective tissue. — Manj- observers iu the present day seem 

 to consider that the intercellular substance is of far higher 

 importance than the cells or nuclei imbedded in it. This 

 matrix or intercellular substance has been supposed, too, to 

 play a most important part in morbid changes. It is con- 

 sidered that the intercellular substance possesses active 

 powers. It may be at fii'st composed of a soft and perfectly 

 clear and homogeneous substance, but it subsequently under- 

 goes important changes in its properties. By some observers 

 it is supposed to become differentiated into various substances 

 by virtue of its own inherent powers^ while others attribute 

 the changes which occur to the action of the cells. It is 

 asserted that in all connective tissues, cells and an inter- 

 cellular substance can be satisfactorily demonstrated. In 

 white fibrous tissue the yellow elastic tissue is said to be 

 developed from, and is the representative of, the cellular 

 element, while the v.hite fibrillated tissue is regarded as the 

 intercellular substance which by many is supposed to be 

 formed independently of cells. This part of the question lias 

 already been considered. 



It appears, then, that some observers consider that the 

 intercellular substance is simply deposited from the blood, 

 and perhaps somewhat modified by the action of the cells 

 between which it is formed, while by other authorities the 

 intercellular substance itself is believed to possess inherent 

 powers of growth, assimilation, and conversion. 



If the intercellular substance of white fibrous tissue and 

 cartilage is merely deposited from the blood by a process 

 akin to crystallization, same substances from which gelatine 

 or chondrin could be obtained should exist in that fluid. But 

 no such substance has ever been detected. 



If, on the other hand this intercellular substance possesses 

 formative power, and by its own inherent powers can convert 

 certain nutrient materials into matter possessing the same 

 properties as itself, what end is served by the germinal 

 matter which is so constant ? And why are these masses so 

 much more numerous in young than in fully developed car- 

 tilage ? The object fulfilled by the growth of such textures 

 as fibrous tissue and cartilage is the formation of the so- 

 called intercellular substance upon which all the properties of 

 the tissue depend. It is in this that the peculiar properties 



