62 HISTOLOGY OF XUTR/EX'r WA'fDS. 



ticulated structure of this stroma has been described by Elsberg 

 and others. Briicke experimented with boracic acid on the 

 blood of Triton, and these experiments were repeated by 

 Strieker and Lancaster, who found similar results with tannic 

 acid. These indicate a double nature in the red globules, a 

 body, or reticulated stroma (oecoid), which is porous, non- 

 contractile, soft, and transparent, and a retractile mass (zooid), 

 containing haemoglobin. Chloroform changes the zooid into 

 oval ghosts; and further chloroform produces evanescent 

 globules. 



4. Number. Various methods of counting the blood cor- 

 puscles under the microscope have been used, the field of view 

 being divided into squares of known capacity. It is estimated 

 that in a cubic millimeter (about ^ inch) there are 5,000,000 

 red globules, having a surface of 643 square millimeters. 



5. Structure. The old opinion of a vesicle with outer mem- 

 brane and contents is generally abandoned, and histologists 

 consider the red globules to be semi-solid bioplasmic masses 

 of complex structure. Klein, Flemming, and others have re- 

 ferred to a reticulum, and my own observations have con- 

 vinced me that their structure varies greatly, as might be 

 supposed from their functions as embryonic, adult, or effete 

 masses. In a solution of potassium bichromate, said by Rollet 

 and Elsberg to be neutral in its action, and a magnifying 

 power of 1,000 to 2,000 diameters with the best lenses, the 

 variations in the same field of view are quite striking. Fig. 4, 

 PL 3. Some of the discs have a central nucleus and concentric 

 rings, while others are irregular or globular, with numerous 

 projections. After a few hours many become reticulated, as 

 in Elsberg's figures. A large number of them show protu- 

 berances from the stroma, which are jelly-like and amoeboid, 

 and afterwards break up into fibers and granules, which simu- 

 late bacteria or micrococci. It may be that some microbes, 

 so called, are but minute particles of degraded blood discs, or 

 other forms of elementary living matter. This was the original 

 germ theory of Dr. Beale, who considered their rapid multi- 

 plication to be in proportion to their degradation. This view 

 will account for some forms of sepsis of autogenetic origin. 



