r 



PATHOLOGICAL CHANGKS IN THE BLOOD-CORPUSCLES. 117 



is much under the influences of the vital forces, is that of 

 retained menses. The microscopical appearances I have 

 shown at fig. 5. Masses of the stroma of old corpuscles 

 (zoid) were very readily recognised, aggregating into various 

 sizes, and blood-corpuscles not much altered. Hesides these 

 were numerous transparent cellules, of the size and appear- 

 ance of those extruded from the red corpuscle in the former 

 observations, but there was not sufficient evidence to show 

 how far they were of similar origin, excepting their close 

 resemblance. 



Observation 6. — Blood was dropped into fluid drawn from 

 a hydrocele as it flowed. A'cry shortly (within an hour) it 

 was examined, and the corpuscles showed the appearance of 

 separating into the oecoid and zoid of Briicke very markedly 

 (see fig. 6). The same fluid was examined after ten hours, 

 when the red globules presented the appearance shown in 

 fig. 7; but the " cecoids" were larger than in the earlier 

 observations, being -^-J-jj^ih. of an inch diameter. 



Observation 7. — When blood -globules had been in contact 

 with mucus of the mouth and vagina, I find in two instances 

 that they were merely stellate, but extruded no transparent 

 cellules. 



Those acquainted with the action of reagents will be able 

 to compare their effects with the results of the action of the 

 various fluids in Avhich the red corpuscles were placed. They 

 seem to confirm the observations of others, which point to 

 two constituent parts. Tliat these are both of them in a 

 plastic state seems to be shown by these as well as by many 

 other phenomena ; that they are composed of material rather 

 in a condition of " formative " than formed ; that no distinct 

 cell-wall, properly so called, exists. 



Whether the small bodies shed from them under various 

 abnormal conditions are merely a sign of dissolution, or 

 whether, under close contact with vital forces, they are 

 capable of becoming something more definite, assisting to 

 form the tissues, or even growing into the red corpuscle, yet 

 remains to be seen. The experiments necessary must be 

 difficult to carry out, and must consume much time ; still, it 

 is noAv rather in this direction we must turn, assisted by the 

 light already shed by so many observers, as is well shown in 

 your last number by one of the Editors of this Journal. 



