

CHAP. XXXIII.] 



LIVER CELLS. 



475 



The minute anatomy of the liver has lately been subjected to 

 a careful investigation by our friend and former pupil, Dr. Beale ; 

 and we believe he has established the existence of this basement 

 membrane by several different methods of preparation. His obser- 

 vations have been made upon injected as well as uninjected prepa- 

 rations. The membrane is so exceedingly delicate, that it can be 

 demonstrated alone by the granular matter which adheres to it. 

 Dr. Beale has succeeded in injecting the tubular network in which 

 the cells lie ; and the injection has been seen to pass round the 

 cells, separating them slightly from each other. When the cells 

 are broken down by the action of chemical reagents, the outline 

 of the tube can often be seen distinctly. This delicate basement 

 membrane in most situations appears to be incorporated with the 

 walls of the capillaries, but in some places it is to be demonstrated 

 distinct from them. 



Not unfrequently cells are met with in the fluid surrounding a 

 section of liver with shreds of membrane attached to them ; and in 

 a few rare instances this membrane may be seen in the form of a 

 tube, in which the cell is evidently contained. Injection, however, 

 affords the most satisfactory proof of the existence of this base- 

 ment membrane. In well-injected specimens, the outline of the 



Fig. 227. 



Portion of tubular network of basement membrane, in which the liver cells lie, a. from an injected 

 specimen the shaded portions show the position of the injection, b. Cells and free oil globules lying 

 within the tube. c. Specimen in which the cells have been disintegrated. From the pig ; 215 diameters ; 

 after Dr. Beale. 



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