SEROUS AND DROPSICAL FLUIDS. 



699 



FIG. 424. 



and nucleoli, but in very different proportions the scaly or la- 

 mellar cells being always most numerous." 1 



Uterine and Vaginal Discharges present quite different charac- 

 ters in different specimens. The examination should be insti- 

 tuted as soon after they are collected as possible, and without 

 the addition of water, as this may affect the natural appearance 

 of the constituent elements. Epithelial cells and blood-globules 

 in varying quantities compose the menstrual discharge. In leu- 

 corrhcea many of the epithelial cells are 

 filled with oil-granules, and mingled to a 

 greater or less extent with pus- corpuscles. 

 Blood-globules are also observed very 

 much altered in shape. (See Fig. 407.) In 

 cancer of the uterus the microscopic exa- 

 mination of the discharges, becomes 

 highly important in arriving at an accurate 

 diagnosis. Cancer-cells, in such cases, 

 may often be detected in the discharges. 

 When they are broken down or considerably altered in form, not 

 a little difficulty will be experienced in assigning to them their 

 true value. The student should be careful, also, not to confound 

 the columnar epithelium of the ureter, with the spindle-shaped 

 cancer-cells. Fig. 424 represents the microscopic appearances of 

 some cancerous juice squeezed from the uterus ; that to the left is 

 the natural appearance, the other after the addition of acetic acid. 



FIG. 425. 



SEROUS AND DROPSICAL FLUIDS. 



The sedimentary matters should be collected from serous fluids, 

 and examined in the same way as urinary deposits. 



An examination of the freshly effused fluid of ascites reveals 

 only a few cells floating in a 

 clear liquid. In chronic as- 

 cites, however, numerous gra- 

 nular and spherical cells, 

 mostly non-nucleated and va- 

 rying in size, are observed. 

 The sediment consists of deli- 

 cate fibres, interlaced, and 

 having cells in the meshes 

 or interstices, together with 

 plates of cholesterine. Occa- 

 sionally blood and pus-cor- 

 puscles may also be detected. 

 The hydrocelic fluid consists of some delicate cells, and oil- 

 globules, and occasionally some spermatozoa and plates of chole- 

 sterine. 



1 Dr. R. La Roche on the Nature and Composition of Black Vomit. 

 Med. Sciences, April, 1854. 



Arner. Jour, of 



