258 SPECIAL HISTOLOGY. 



The nuclei often form continuous rows, or are accumulated on the inner 

 surface of the sarcolemma, exhibiting in a peculiar manner the same 

 distinct indications of an energetic multiplication by endogenous forma- 

 tion, as are presented in the embryo {vide this §, supra). In fatti/ de- 

 generation, the muscular fasciculi are, by degrees, replaced by connective 

 tissue and fat cells which are developed between them ; whilst, at the 

 same time, minute fatty molecules are developed in great number within 

 them, in place of the fibrils, which gradually disappear. 



Paralyzed muscles were found by Reid (" On the relation between 

 Muscular Contractility and the Nervous System," "Edinburgh Monthly 

 Journal of Med.," 1841) to be thinner, softer, and paler; and Valentin 

 (" Phys.," 2 ed. 2 Th., p. 62) noticed in such cases that the transverse 

 stripes were indistinct, or had disappeared, and could no longer be pro- 

 duced by Avater, alcohol, &c. ; the longitudinal stripes existed, but did 

 not present their usual aspect, more resembling those of macerated 

 muscle. Subsequently the altered fasciculi disappeared in part, and 

 were to some extent replaced by fat. In a case of atrophy of the pec- 

 toralis major caused by cancer, I noticed conditions similar to those I 

 had observed in old age, viz. : destruction of the fibrils, the develop- 

 ment of brownish granules, and the presence of numerous nuclei, to- 

 gether with a clear fluid in the persistent sarcolemma ; and lastly a 

 diminution of the fasciculi, which did not measure more than 0*002- 

 0*004 of a line in width. I also believe, that I noticed in many fasci- 

 culi the development of larger, serially disposed cells, with very 

 large and distinct nuclei, exactly like the so-termed cancer-cells. 

 The condition of the muscles in emaciation is unknown. In an ema- 

 ciated Frog, which had fasted for eight months, Donders observed 

 that the fasciculi were more slender, which he attributed chiefly to the 

 removal of the interstitial substance between the fibrils. Paleness of 

 the muscles is very common in dropsy, chlorosis, paralysis, lead-poison- 

 ing, old age, &c. ; in which cases, probably the numerous brown or 

 yellow granules are formed from a portion of the coloring matter. . 

 This condition is generall}^ associated with softening, in which the fas- 

 ciculi no longer exhibit any distinct transverse striae or fibrils, and 

 readily break up into numerous particles, or even into a pultaceous 

 matter. In tetanus, in which rupture of a muscle frequently occurs, 

 Bowman ("Phil. Transact.," 1841, p. 69) observed on the fasciculi 

 numerous nodular enlargements, in which the transverse strise were very 

 closely approximated, and between them either actual rupture of the 

 fibrils, or at all events a considerable stretching and disorganization of 

 them, both of which states are clearly to be referred to a powerful and 

 irregular contraction. The muscles sometimes contain concretions, 

 particularly as the result of the cretification of pus, tubercles, and cys- 

 tecercMs- vesicles ; sometimes also true bones, such as are produced after 

 prolonged exercise in the deltoid and other muscles (Exercirknochen). 



