THE FEMALE GENITAL TEACT. 847 



While the waxy degeneration is located in the basis-substance only, the 

 fatty degeneration, on the contrary, is found almost exclusively in the living 

 matter. With high powers of the microscope we plainly see the granules of 

 living matter within the decidual elements first increase in size, and gradu- 

 ally taking the peculiar shining appearance so characteristic of fat. At first 

 the shining fat-granules remain in unbroken connection with the neighboring 

 reticulum of living matter ; afterward the granules appear to be freed from 

 their union with the reticulum, and finally they coalesce and produce oil- 

 globules. Even in the highest degree of degeneration the living matter never 

 seems to be entirely lost. This is demonstrated by the treatment of the speci- 

 mens with oil of cloves or turpentine, all fat being destroyed by these re- 

 agents. 



In nearly all decidual elements a scanty reticulum of living matter may be 

 traced, and in some parts with enlargements at the points of intersection ; 

 and in these enlargements coarse granules are frequently seen. 



The re-agents indicate that there must be a slight difference between the 

 waxy mass of the placenta and the waxy degeneration we find in the kidneys, 

 liver, and spleen. It appears that, in the above-mentioned organs, the chem- 

 ical change which takes place in the basis-substance differs somewhat from 

 that which takes place in the placenta; the difference, however, is too 

 insignificant to alter either the change itself or its results in the placental 

 tissue. 



In placenta No. 7, the amnion in those parts in immediate contact with 

 the decidua of the placenta, was affected with morbid changes identical with 

 those observed in the placenta itself. Scattered through the amnion were 

 shining, homogeneous bodies, also rod-like formations, which were in contin- 

 uity with the connective tissue of the amnion. The homogeneous bodies 

 were either round or oblong, showing a central nucleus, but by no means so 

 distinctly stratified as are the amylaceous corpuscles of the arachnoid. It 

 may be that these forms are the remains of bioplasson bodies whose fluid has 

 been transformed into a waxy mass. 



In the umbilical cord of this placenta I observed a peculiar change starting 

 in the portion attached to the placenta and extending two or three inches. 

 In the periphery of the cord the myxomatous tissue was fully developed, 

 while the tissue in the vicinity of the umbilical arteries showed considerable 

 enlargement of its meshes the so-called dropsy of the cord. The meshes 

 were surrounded by extremely fine fibers, and crossed by a peculiar, shining, 

 yellow reticulum, inclosing empty spaces. In connection with the bundles of 

 fibers that surrounded the meshes, coarser or finer trabeculas were observed, 

 which showed shining enlargements at the points where the trabeculee were 

 cut transversely. In some regions delicate, pediculated buds and club-like 

 projections, or rosary-like chains, were seen. These formations took up the 

 stain of fuchsine very readily, and were unaltered by treatment with turpen- 

 tine and alcohol. ( See Fig. 380.) 



It seems obvious, therefore, that this change of the umbilical cord which I 

 have studied is due to waxy degeneration of the reticulum of the myxoma- 

 tous tissue, together with liquefaction of the basis-substance. 



The literature of the subject of my researches is extremely meagre. 



Carl Kokitansky * mentions amyloid degeneration of the placenta, without 

 further details. He is the only observer who speaks of such a degeneration. 



r " Manual of Morbid Anatomy," 'chapter on "Anomalies of the Placenta." Vienna, 1861. 



