134 CERUMINOUS GLANDS. [SECT. 72. 



similar to those of the epithelium; whence it would seem that 

 their secretion is produced in the same mode as that of the sudo- 

 riparous glands. The excretory ducts possess a coat of connective 

 tissue, and an epithelium of several layers, formed of small, nu- 

 cleated cells, destitute of fat and pigment granules. In their 

 cavity, which, however, is not always distinct, the ducts contain 

 sometimes a clear fluid, sometimes a small quantity of a finely 

 granular substance. 



The cerumen is generally regarded as the secretion of these 

 glands, though this is only partially correct. If the wine-yellow 

 or brownish, more or less consistent, viscid substance, which 

 collects in the cartilaginous meatus, be examined, it is found that 

 it is composed of various constituents. Besides a few hairs, an 

 occasional acarus folliculorum, and a variable number of epidermis 

 cells, we meet with, 1st. numerous cells of 0-009 to o'02 in 

 diameter, entirely filled with pale fat, and generally of an oblong, 

 flat, irregular shape, in which, on the addition of water, or, still 

 better, of caustic soda, the fat collects in separate, round or irre- 

 gular, dark drops ; 2nd. much free fat in the form of pale, yellowish 

 small, rounded drops, which, on the addition of water, become 

 very distinct, although, at the same time, decolorized, and appear 

 as round, dark granules, from immeasurable fineness up to 0-002'", 

 and more, in diameter; 3rd. yellow, or brownish granules, and 

 aggregations of granules, either free or in cells, which, upon the 

 whole, are but few in number; 4th. finally, when the secretion is 

 more diffluent, also a small quantity of a clear fluid. I regard the 

 first-mentioned cells as belonging to the cutaneous fatty secretion 

 of the external auditory passage, and the other matters as the se- 

 cretion of the ceruminous glands, which, accordingly, would appear 

 to secrete a fluid rich in fat, with a few brownish granules. 



The vessels of the ceruminous glands resemble those of the 

 sudoriparous glands. In one case, I also observed a fine nerve- 

 fibre 0-003'" in diameter, in the midst of a gland. The develop- 

 ment takes place in exactly the same manner as that of the sudo- 

 riparous glands ; and, indeed, from all that I have observed of them, 

 I am induced to regard the ceruminous glands as merely modifica- 

 tions of the sudoriparous glands. 



Nothing is known about their pathological conditions. Of the 

 cerumen, we know that it is frequently very firm, at other times 

 fluid, purulent-like, and pale-coloured. In the latter case, which 

 occurs in congestive states of the auditory passage, it contains 

 much more fluid and free fat than usual, and very beautiful cells 

 containing fat. 



