352 SEMINAL FLUID. 



transparent flakes. Hence the diagnosis of semen, is easy in 

 every instance in which the object can be at once examined micro- 

 scopically; in that case no chemical experiments are required, which 

 unfortunately would fail in giving decisive results. It is a more 

 difficult matter to prepare for microscopic examination semen that 

 has been dried on linen or other textures. We omit any mention 

 of the method adopted by Bayard for this object, since it is too 

 circumstantial, requires a tolerably skilful analyst, and has other 

 drawbacks ; and we shall only give the very simple method recom- 

 mended by Schmidt. His first direction is that we should ascertain 

 on which side of the texture the spots are situated, for it is here 

 only that we should find seminal animalcules ; we can detect this 

 side by its glistening surface when the light falls upon it, while the 

 opposed surface appears dull and has a rough feeling. We then 

 gather together the portion of linen on which the semen is found, 

 and suspend it in a watch-glass half full of water ; after four hours 

 we warm the fluid having previously added a few drops of ammonia, 

 while the portion on which the spots are situated still remain 

 immersed ; we then gently rub the surface, and afterwards examine 

 with the microscope the fluid contained in the watch-glass. 



According to Schmidt, seminal spots differ from all others, as 

 for instance, those of the lochial discharge, vaginal mucus (whe- 

 ther syphilitic or non-syphilitic), pus, gonorrhoeal matter, nasal 

 and bronchial mucus, albumen, gum, fat, glue, or starch, in this 

 respect, that the seminal spots become of a pale yellow colour 

 when kept near to the fire for one or two hours, while the form of the 

 animalcules is not at all changed. Other substances when treated 

 in this manner are either coloured green (as for instance, vaginal 

 mucus) or are not changed in colour ; spots caused by animal 

 substances may be easily diagnosed, either by their morphological 

 elements, or by the albumen which can be detected after they are 

 moistened. No one could mistake spots of mere fat, gum, or 

 starch, for marks of the seminal fluid. 



The origin of the semen and its physiological importance belong 

 solely to histology and physiology ; and we should be encroaching 

 too much on these departments if we were to enter more closely 

 into these obscure subjects, on which chemistry has as yet thrown 

 no light, and which it will probably never be able altogether to 

 elucidate. 



