210 Variations observed in the Rallit's Liver. [Nov. 2(>, 



1. Some of them indicate the existence of a peculiar kinetic state, 

 manifested by irritability and contractility, giving rise to variations in 

 the distribution of the mitoma of the cell?. 



The alternate enlargement and shrinking of the nuclei seem to 

 point in the same direction. 



The correlation between these phenomena and certain alternations 

 in the contractility of the sphincter pupilloe still further strengthens 

 this view. 



2. During digestion, in addition to the dynamic state just alluded 

 to, glycogen accumulates in the cells, and gradually fills up all the 

 meshes of the mitoma. This begins in the hepatic zone almost im- 

 mediately after the beginning of a meal, attains its maximum from 

 the third to the eighth hour, and gradually diminishes, till at the 

 twelfth hour only a few granules are left in the hepatic zone, wliicli is 

 thus the first and the last to le infiltrated with glycogen. 



Another evidence of chemical activity is given by the accumulation 

 of a ferruginous pigment in the cells- of the liver. This begins to be 

 well marked five hours after a meal ; it gradually increases, until a 

 the twelfth hour it has attained its maximum,* after which it rapidly 

 diminishes. It is to be noted that the first effect of taking a meal is 

 to cause a diminution of this iron-containing pigment in the liver 

 cells. 



There is, therefore, evidence that the signs of activity of liver cells 

 occur in the following order : 



(a.) Alterations in the Size of the Meshes and in the Distribution of 

 the Mitoma. This occurs very early, and continues till the eighth 

 hour at least. 



(6.) Accumulation of some products which have been separated 

 from the food and absorbed, but yet not assimilatedf (or utilised in the 

 production of energy) (glycogen). This becomes marked also early 

 after the taking of a meal, and attains its maximum between the 

 third and eighth hours. 



(c.) Accumulation of some products which have been separated in 

 the cell as a result of its special functional activity, bat as yet not 

 expelled from it (iron-containing pigment] . This attains its maximum 

 at the twelfth hour. 



It is evident that the first and the last of these signs are not neces- 

 sarily under the dependence of the absorption of food. On the 

 contrary, the second is apparently one of the results of absorption. 

 It is, therefore, probable that, whilst the first and the third may be 

 brought about by various stimulating agents, the second, being con- 



* As demonstrated by microckemical reactions. (It is, however, possible that 

 part of the iron compounds set free by the splitting up of heemoglobin may not be 

 revealed by this method.) 



t This is said with referenc3(o the fcoly taken as a who 1 ?. 



