772 



Leprosy 



bacilli, which occur in enormous numbers, are often found 

 in groups inclosed within the protoplasm of certain large 

 vacuolated cells the " lepra cells " which seem to be 

 partly degenerated endothelial cells. Sometimes they are 

 anuclear; rarely they contain several nuclei (giant cells). 

 Bacilli also occur in the lymph-spaces and in the nerve-sheath. 



; 





Fig. 251. Lepra nervorum (McConnell). 



Lepra nodules do not degenerate like tubercles, and the 

 ulceration, which constitutes a large part of the pathology 

 of the disease, seems to be largely due to the injurious action 

 of external agencies upon the feebly vital pathologic tissue. 



According to the studies of Johnston and Jamieson,* the 

 bacteriologic diagnosis of nodular leprosy can be made by 

 spreading serum obtained by scraping a leprous nodule upon 

 a cover-glass, drying, fixing, and staining with carbol- 

 fuchsin and Gabbet's solution as for the tubercle bacillus. 



Montreal Med. Journal." Jan., 1897. 



