MORBID CONDITION OF CAETILAGE. 



221 



corpuscles, varying in size from -g-o^-g- to 23V0 of ^^ i^ich 

 in diameter, tliose in the adjacent cartilage measuring more 

 uniformly about -g^Vir of an inch. The corpuscles are more 

 numerous in the substance connecting the cut surfaces than in 

 the cartilage itself, and the intercellular substance of the same 

 part is slightly more transparent than that of the adjacent 

 texture, the appearance of fibres being most distinct in those 

 parts which are directly in contact with the cartilaginous sur- 

 faces. — (Fig. 42.) In sections obtained from the cartilage of 

 the femoral trochlea the mass between the cut surfaces is less 

 transparent, its fibres are much more perfect, and the corpuscles 

 are smaller and less easily seen. — (Fig. 43.) The fibrous and 

 nucleated membrane formed on the surface of the cartilage is 

 continuous with the uniting medium, and differs from it merely 

 in having its fi1)res parallel to the suifare. 



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Fig. 42. — Vertical section of the cartilage of the patella of a dog passing 

 through an obliijue incision made twenty-foiu- weeks and five days before 

 examination, and showing perfect and firm union of the cut surfaces. — 

 (Eedfern.) 



Fig. 43. —Section of the cartilage of the femur of a dog passing through 

 an oblique incision made twenty-four weeks and five days before examina- 

 tion, and showing the perfect fibrous tissue developed in the healing of the 

 wound. — (Redfebn. ) 



" It may be here remarked, that the lameness which occurred 

 in this case is by no means to be viewed as the result of the 

 injury to the cartilages ; for except when dislocation, or some 

 other accidental occurrence, takes place, incisions in the articu- 

 lar cartilages of the knee-joints of dogs are attended with no 

 lameness or evidence of suffering whatever, after the first few 

 days, which are required for the healing of the external wound. 

 Neither is it to be supposed that articular cartilages are in a 

 favourable position for the healing of wounds ; for, indepen- 

 dently of the continued movement, which is no less detri- 



