114 



SPECIAL HISTOLOGY. 



Fig. 50. 



nutrition of the fat- cells are distributed, and consists either of 

 a simple aggregation of cells, or of a number, varying according 

 to its size, of smaller and smallest lobules, each of which again 

 has its proper delicate investment of connective tissue. Ac- 

 cording to Todd and Bowman, every cell even, has its own 

 special covering and vessels; but this, though true in many 

 cases, is certainlv not so in all. In the corium the fat-cells are 

 found more in the deeper part round the hair follicles and 

 sebaceous glands, while they are wholly wanting in the pars 

 papillaris. In persons in tolerably good condition, the fat- 

 cells are always rounded or oval 0-01 — 0-06"' in diameter, 

 with a dark border, filled with fluid, pale yellow fat, which 



forms a single drop — and with a 

 parietal nucleuswhich is not readily 

 rendered visible (fig. 50). In ema- 

 ciated subjects, on the other hand, 

 hardly any cells of this kind are 

 met with, but instead, more or less 

 abnormal forms : 1. Granular cells, 

 with numerous small fat drops, forming 

 whitish-yellow clustered lobules ; 2. Fat- 

 cells containing serum, in yellow or reddish- 

 brown minute lobular masses, which, to- 

 gether with the fat (which has become more 

 or less diminished in quantity, and usually 

 appears as a single dark-coloured globule), 

 contain a clear fluid and a distinct nucleus, 

 and are considerably smaller than the normal 

 cells, — 001 — 001 5'" ; 3. Cells which contain no fat, but only 

 serum, with a distinct nucleus, and having a delicate or thickened 

 membrane ; they occur in more gelatinous fatty tissue, or 

 mingled with the others ; they are also met with in oedema ; 

 4. Lastly, Fat-cells containing crystals ; either presenting 1 to 4 

 stars of acicular crystals (margarin), together with a drop of fat, 



Fig. 51. 



d 



a.--- 



Fig. 50. Normal fat-cells from the breast, x 350: a, without reagents; b, after 

 being treated with ether, whereby the fat is exhausted and the folded delicate 

 membrane remains. 



Fig. 51. Fat-cells with crystals of margarin, x 350: a, cell with a star of 

 crystalline needles, as they may be found not uncommonly in normal fat ; b, cell 

 quite filled with crystals, from the white fat-lobules of an emaciated subject. 



