244 THE MICROSCOPIST. 



or transformed epithelial cells (formerly called granule- 

 cells, or inflammatory corpuscles). In phthisis, the soft- 

 ened tubercle or gangrene may be early detected by the 

 fibres of elastic tissue from the walls of the pulmonary 

 vesicles. The sputa should be first liquefied by boiling 

 with an equal bulk of caustic soda, and then allowed to 

 settle in a conical glass, when a small quantity may be 

 removed by a pipette to a glass slide, covered by thin 

 glass, and placed under the microscope. 



The occurrence of fungi in sputa is to be expected 

 whenever there is decay. The Leptothrix luccalis, one 

 form of Pendllium, is common on old epithelial scales of 

 the mouth, and in the later stages of phthisis the sputa 

 will often show fungi in different stages of development. 

 Bacteria and vibriones are also frequent in pus. 



In catarrhal pneumonia we may find fibrinous casts of 

 the alveoli of the lungs and epithelial elements. 



VII. HINTS ON THE APPLICATION OF THE MICROSCOPE TO 

 MATERIA 'MEDICA AND PHARMACY. 



The observations of Dr. Hassall on the detection of 

 adulterations in food,* have prompted similar investiga- 

 tions respecting the purity of medicinal substances. Such 

 examinations cover a wide field of research, chiefly related 

 to micro-chemistry and botany. 



The student hi this department will do well to provide 

 himself with undoubted specimens of various articles for 

 comparison, although much may be learned from a gen- 

 eral examination of any particular drug, etc. 



In addition to the recognition of genuine forms of leaves, 

 seeds, roots, etc , and their adulterations, the microscope 

 will often be serviceable in exhibiting the deteriorations 

 to which such articles are subject if kept too long. 



Dr. Hale, in the American Journal of Microscopy, shows 



* Food and its Adulterations. By A. H. Hassall, M.D. 



