52 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



for the false membrane upon the mneous membrane, without inter- 

 fering with the epithelium covering the latter, through which wandering 

 cells might easily pass : and a precedent for fibrinous exudation on a 

 mucous surface might be found in croupous pneumonia. 



Mr. Needham thought that as pus could come fi'om a serous, fibrin 

 might from a mucous membrane. 



Dr. Coupland thought the different layers in the false membrane 

 showed a mixed origin ; thus the surface of it was more coarsely 

 fibrillated than the deeper parts, which were much finer, as though 

 there had been first a catarrh, destroying the epithelium, and then 

 fibrinoiis exudation last of all. 



Mr. Stowers asked for a verification of the observation made, that 

 the histological appearances in the angina form of scarlatina and in a 

 blistered surface were those of diphtheria. 



Mr. Miller referred to Eindfleisch's remark that the exudation in 

 pharyngeal affections was more cellular and less fibrillated than in 

 laryngeal ; as well as to the existence of apertures in the basement 

 membrane of the affected parts. 



The President thought the non-homogeneity of the false membrane 

 might be explained by the different ages of its component parts, and 

 suggested that the fungus foimd in throat diphtheria might owe its 

 presence to the open-mouthed mode of respiration in diphtheritic 

 patients. In the two cases of diphtheritic conjunctivitis already 

 mentioned, the eyes had been kept bandaged, and, as stated, no fungus 

 had been found. 



Dr. Greenfield, in reply, quoted German authority for the constant 

 presence of fungus in diphtheria ; and since fungi in the kidney had 

 also been described, they might serve to explain the renal complica- 

 tion so constantly present. The only way to get at a life history of a 

 false membrane was to examine in the same subject the patches in all 

 stages of growth. He had done this, but had only found at first a 

 catarrhal state, and later on pus - globules and fibrillation on the 

 deeper surface of the membrane. The fibrinous exudation in pneu- 

 monia was no precedent for the same process in diphtheria, since the 

 air-cells might be proved, and were by some thought to be, part of 

 the lymphatic system. Epithelium in place would not allow fibrin to 

 exude ; but once destroy the former, and then exudation was easy. 

 Two theories existed with regard to the part played by fungi in 

 diphtheria ; one, that they were its cause, the other only the cause of 

 the rapid disintegration of the membrane : it was a subject still sub 

 judice. 



Numerous specimens in illustration of Dr. Greenfield's paper were 

 exhibited, as well as others of new growths, and of the glandular 

 stomach of the crow. 



Friday, May 15, 1874. — Jabez Hogg, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Molluscum jihrosum {? Cheloid). — Dr. Pritchard mentioned the case 

 of a negro, who for twenty years had been subject to a growth, ori- 

 ginating behind one ear, and gradually extending over nearly all the 

 body. After death, a portion of the skin, with growth, was forwarded 

 to him (from America) as illustrating " Cheloid simulating molluscum 



