CHANGES IN THE CELLS. 205 



composing the closed gland therefore increases in size, 

 and approaches the surface of the mucous membrane ; 

 an opening is formed, and the contents escape. The 

 walls of the old gland shrivel up, the wound in the 

 mucous membrane heals, and probably a very slight 

 cicatrix, with a little condensed areolar tissue beneath, 

 is all that marks the seat of the gland. But even in 

 this case we cannot affirm that the "cells" which 

 have elaborated the secretion die and discharge their 

 contents. They escape from the cavity in which they 

 grew, but has anyone shown that they die and 

 undergo rupture ? We have much to learn concern- 

 ing the destination of these " cells " in the closed 

 glands which escape by rupture of the capsule of the 

 gland. We know that "cells" of the same kind 

 formed in the spleen have a very different office and 

 destination. They seem to be but commencing their 

 career when they become free, and I could bring 

 forward several facts which justify me in expressing a 

 strong opinion that the life of the cells does not cease 

 when the temporary follicle in which they grew be- 

 comes ruptured and permits their discharge. On the 

 contrary, it appears to me that at this very time they 

 commence the really important part of their life- 

 work, and they may now be only beginning to perform 

 their active duty for the first time ; so that neither in 

 the case of the secreting glands with permanent ducts, 

 nor in that of the temporary closed glands, can I 

 admit that the doctrine which maintains that the 



