GENITO-URIKARY ORGANS. 135 



EPITHELIUM OF THE GENITOURINARY 



TRACT. URETER, BLADDER, UTERUS, 



VAGINA, ETC. 



The lining membrane of the genitourinary apparatus is of interest 

 to the medical man; particularly in connection with diseases, whose 

 diagnosis may be largely determined by a microscopical examination 

 of urinary deposits. 



In the preparation of this subject, I have confined myself, rather 

 closely, to the consideration of such portions of the lining of the genito- 

 urinary tract as may be recognized and differentiated, as they occur in 

 urine and other fluid discharges. The limit prescribed for these 

 pages will permit little beyond this. 



It is not always possible to determine the origin of detached cells, 

 for two reasons, viz. : First, certain widely separated portions are very 

 similarly cell covered; and, secondly, cells which are the result of 

 proliferation accompanying diseased processes, are quite frequently un- 

 like the original type. Still, certain portions of the genito-urinary 

 apparatus have a distinctly characteristic epithelium; and to such 

 will our present notice be directed. 



PEACTICAL DEMONSTKATION. 



From the body of a (preferably young) human female, as soon as 

 possible after death, remove half-inch cubes of the organs required, 

 observing that the lining is included. The outer portions are of 

 very little moment comparatively. Secure pieces from the os, cervix 

 and fundus of the uterus, the base of the bladder, the wall of the 

 vagina near the cul-de-sac, the ureters, and the pelvis of the kidney. 



We desire to prepare the tissue so as to keep the original form of 

 cell elements to avoid contraction; and the Miiller process will 

 accomplish this perfectly. Allow the pieces to remain for two weeks 

 in the bichromate solution, with an occasional change. Complete the 

 hardening in Nos. 3, 2, and 1 alcohol, as usual. Infiltrate with eel- 

 loidin or bayberry tallow, and let the sections be vertical to the 

 mucous surface. The tissues should not be handled with the fingers, 

 otherwise the epithelial lining cells will be detached. Stain with 

 haema. and eosin; mount in dammar. 



