1889.] , MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. r.9 



MEDICAL MICROSCOPY.* 



The Menstrual Organ. — A most interesting paper with this title 

 and by Dr. A. \V. Johnstone is pnblished in the Annals of Gyncecol- 

 ogy^ October. iSSS. It gives some resnlts of microscopic study of the 

 endometrium, tending to the following conclusions : That the endome- 

 trium is a cytogenic organ analogous in function to the spleen, thymus 

 gland, etc. ; that the product of its cytogenesis is the placenta; that 

 menstruation is the washing away of corpuscles too old to make a pla- 

 centa, and that the reason why lower animals do not menstruate is be- 

 cause in them the uterine lymphatic net-work is much more abundant, 

 and through these lymph canals the ripe but unused placental material 

 is washed awav into the general circulation. 



Influence of Microbes. — In a paper read before the Virginia Med- 

 ical Society Dr. W. E. McGuire enumerates ways in which the baneful 

 influence of microbes upon living organisms may be explained: (i) 

 As cell-food destroyers; (3) As obstructionists interfering with the 

 action of excreting organs ; (3) By leaving poisonous excretions ; (4) 

 By tissue-deoxygenization wherefrom ptomaines result. 



Trachoma. — Dr Kiikarsky, of Tiflis, has been studying the bacteri- 

 ology of trachoma. He formulates the differential, morphological. 

 and biological characteristics of the microbes which he invariably found 

 in trachomatous follicles ; but the results of inoculative experiments 

 upon rabbits, cats, dogs, pigeons, and men, either with pure cultures 

 i)r with the fluids from diseased eves, were inconclusive. — Phil . Med. 

 Times. Dec. i^. '?,d,. 



-o — 



Dyin^ of Trichinosis. — It was discovered December 28, 1SS8, by 

 examination with the tnicroscope. that the mysterious disease with which 

 Mr. Crumbaugh, of Lerov, has for a year been a sufferer, is trichinosis. 

 He has suffered indescribable tortures since he was first attacked with the 

 mysterious malady. He had no recollection of eating raw or imper- 

 fectly cooked pork. He died in January, 1S89. 



News. — •• Pork affected with trichina when used for food produces 

 the TiV7iia solium., or common tape-^vorm." — Bulletin Tenn. State 

 Board of Health. 



o- 



A case of alcoholic multiple neuritis occurring at the Philadelphia 

 Hospital was reported to the Philadelphia Neurological Society by Dr. 

 J. H. Lloyd. The microscopical specimens from this case •• became 

 decomposed in some unaccountable way, and were unfit for microscopic 

 study." This mav be worth noting by competitors for Dr. ^Mason's 

 prize. 



* I'liis department is conducted by F. Blanchard, M. D. 



