OVARIAL CYSTS. 593 



The proliferous cysts (MYXOID CYSTS, COLLOID CYSTS), which are 

 developed from PFLUGER'S epithelium-tubes, may have a content of a 

 decidedly variable composition. 



We sometimes find in small cysts a semi-solid, transparent, or some- 

 what cloudy or opalescent mass which appears like solidified glue or 

 quivering jelly, and which has been called colloid because of its physical 

 properties. In other cases the cysts contain a thick, tough mass which 

 can be drawn out into long threads, and as this mass in the different 

 cysts is more or less diluted with serous liquids their contents may have 

 a variable consistency. In still other cases the small cysts may also 

 contain a thin, watery fluid. The color of the contents is also variable. 

 Sometimes they are bluish white, opalescent, and again they are yellow, 

 yellowish brown, or yellowish with a shade of green. They are often 

 colored more or less chocolate-brown or red-brown, due to the decom- 

 posed blood -coloring matters. The reaction is alkaline or nearly neutral. 

 The specific gravity, which may vary considerably, is generally 1.015- 

 1.030, but may occasionally be 1.005-1.010 or 1.050-1.055. The amount 

 of solids is very variable. In rare cases it amounts to only 10-20 p. m. ; 

 ordinarily it varies between 50-70-100 p. m. In a few instances 150-200 

 p. m. solids have been found. 



As form-elements one finds red and white blood-corpuscles, granular 

 cells, partly fat-degenerated epithelium and partly large so-called GLUGE'S 

 corpuscles, fine granular masses, epithelium-cells, cholesterin crystals, and 

 colloid corpuscles large, circular, highly refractive formations. 



Though the contents of the proliferous cyst may have a variable 

 composition, still it may be characterized in typical cases by its slimy 

 or ropy consistency; by its grayish-yellow, chocolate-brown, sometimes 

 whitish-gray color; and by its relatively high specific gravity, 1.015- 

 1.025. Such a liquid does not ordinarily show a spontaneous fibrin 

 coagulation. 



We consider colloid, metalbumin, and paralbumin as characteristic 

 constituents of these cysts. 



Colloid. This name does not designate any particular chemical 

 substance, but is given to the contents of tumors with certain physical 

 properties similar to gelatin jelly. Colloid is found as a pathological 

 product in several organs. 



Colloid is a gelatinous mass, insoluble in water and acetic acid; it is 

 dissolved by alkalies and gives a liquid which is not precipitated by 

 acetic acid or by acetic acid and potassium ferrocyanide. According to 

 PFANNENSTIEL 1 such a colloid is designated /3-pseudomucin. Some- 

 times a colloid is found which, when treated with a very dilute alkali, 



1 Arch. f. Gynak., 38. 



