THE LYMPHATIC AND MUCOUS SECRETIONS 



907 



of the assumption that the tonsils give rise to an internal secretion. 1 

 The fact that the now extensively practised enucleation of these organs 

 does not produce untoward symptoms should be sufficient to prove 

 this point. Those investigators who nevertheless adhere to the con- 

 trary contention, must admit that this secretion cannot be specific, 

 but must be common to all the lymphoid tissues so that the activity of 

 the tonsils may be compensated for by other structures. A third con- 

 tention is that these organs protect the organism against bacterial in- 

 vasion. This assumption is in accordance with the general conception 

 that lymphoid nodules act as sieves and catch the infectious particles 

 in their meshes. While it cannot be denied that the tonsils possess 

 an influence of this kind, it is also true that they form a relatively 

 open connection between the cavity of the mouth and the lymphatics 

 of the neck and may, therefore, rather invite in- 



fection than prevent it. In fact, tonsillectomy is 

 frequently practised to do away with this possible 

 source and path of infection, and especially if 

 these organs have been the seat of inflammation 

 (tonsillitis) and are in part disintegrated. These 

 cases are usually benefited by tonsillectomy, but 

 naturally, this is not a sufficient reason to con- 

 demn the tonsils as perfectly useless organs and 

 to advocate their removal as soon as they rise 

 above the margins of the faucial pillars. 



The Lingual and Pharyngeal Tonsils. The 

 lingual tonsil consists of a variable number of 

 lymphoid nodules arranged along the base of the 

 tongue next to the median line. The pharyngeal 

 tonsil or adenoid is a similar mass of lymphoid 

 tissue which is suspended from the vault of the 

 naso-pharynx immediately behind the nasal 

 choanse. Smaller depositions are found upon the 

 posterior and lateral walls of the pharynx. Their histological char- 

 acter is practically identical with that of the faucial tonsil, and so is 

 their function. 



The Mucous Glands and Their Secretory Product. A large 

 number of small glandular bodies are found in the mouth and alimen- 

 tary canal which furnish a very viscous and stringy secretion. This 

 quality is imparted to it by a special constituent, the mucin. In 

 accordance with their distribution, these glands may be classified as 

 buccal, palatinal and lingual. Their structure is practically identical 

 with that of a simple tubular gland, possessing large and clear lining 

 cells. Obviously, the function of this viscous secretion is to lubricate 

 the mucous surfaces. 



A very good illustration of the action of a mucous gland is furnished 



1 Massini, Int. Secretion of the Tonsil, New York Med. Jour., 1898, and Scheier, 

 Berliner Laryngol. Gesellsch., 1903. 



FIG. 489. GOBLET 

 CELLS SHOWING THE AC- 

 CUMULATION AND DIS- 

 CHARGE OF THE MUCOUS 

 MATERIAL. 



