The Microscope. 55 



scopic structure. So far as I am aware nothing was done, nor 

 even thought of, in connection with the reticulum in the red 

 corpuscles of the first subject of electrical execution, and noth- 

 ing has been done since then. Here would seem to be a good 

 chance to learn whether or not there is any change in these 

 parts of the corpuscles after the action of the electricity. That 

 the reticulum exists there can be no doubt. That it is changed 

 in form, appearance, number of reticulations, size of meshes, 

 continuity of filaments, or in an}^ other wa}", is a matter that 

 should not have been neglected by medical microscopists, and 

 should not be neglected when another murderer sufi'ers the pen- 

 alty. Any competent microscopist having access to the criminal 

 before and after his death should make, before the application 

 of the electrical current, a series of preparations of the corpus- 

 cles to show the reticulum, and another series as s©on as possi- 

 ble after the heart has ceased to beat, and from a part of the 

 body through which the fluid was known to have passed. Elec- 

 tricity may be readily applied to blood corpuscles on the stage 

 of the microscope, but there the essential conditions are absent, 

 and no microscopist cares to experiment with the currents used 

 at Auburn. Such examination might not lead to an increase of 

 knowledge, yet it might be of great value. lis interest, to say 

 the least, would be great. 



The reticulation is not restricted to the red corpuscles of man, 

 but may be seen equally well in those of the lower vertebrates, and 

 should form another splendid field of study for any one possessing 

 the proper high power appliances. A preparation of alligator's 

 blood, mounted by Prof. W. N. Beggs, of St. Louis, and some 

 time ago kindly sent to me, shows the reticulum to perfection. 



This little paper is only intended to call attention to the sub- 

 ject as one worth careful examination. Extended illustrated 

 essays by Heitzmann, Klein, Elsberg and others are accessible 

 in the microscopical and medical literature of recent times. 



Acknowledgment.— To Dr. Wm. N. Beggs, St. Louis, for a 

 slide of round-celled sarcoma of the ovary. This is a fine prep- 

 aration of an interesting and important pathological change. 



