CLOUDY SWELLING. 



281 



in the mucous secretions of many glands. The change affects 

 both epithelial and connective-tissue structures, but the latter 

 is of the greater importance 

 pathologically. The affected 

 area has a translucent, gelati- 

 nous, and swollen appearance. 



The most remarkable condi- 

 tion in which it is found is in 

 what is known as myxcedema, 

 the chief clinical characteristic 

 of which is a peculiar swelling 

 of the skin and subcutaneous 

 connective tissue, which differs 

 from ordinary anasarca in not 

 pitting on pressure. 



c. Hyaline degeneration is 

 very closely allied to amyloid. 

 It occurs in connective tissue 

 and the walls of bloodvessels. 

 The material has a glistening 

 waxy appearance but is less 

 translucent than amyloid, the 

 staining reactions of which are 

 also absent. 



Cloudy swelling, parenchyma- 

 tous or granular degeneration, 

 are terms used to describe a re- 

 trograde change in which the 

 elements affected, especially epi- 

 thelial and muscle cells, are 

 swollen and cloudy and filled 

 with minute albuminous gran- 

 ules. The outline of the cell 

 becomes indistinct and distorted, 

 the nucleus however remaining 

 often but little altered. These 

 granules are insoluble in ether, 

 but soluble in dilute acids and 

 caustic potash. The whole organ is swollen, less translucent, 

 dull grayish, cloudy, and anaemic looking as if it had been 



Calcareous infiltration of cardiac mus- 

 cle (Langerhans). a, degenerated 

 cardiac muscle; 6, muscular fibres 

 impregnated with lime-salts. The 

 specimen was taken from a case of 

 chronic lead-poisoning. The cells 

 which are the seat of the calcareous 

 infiltration must have been dead for 

 a considerable time before the death 

 of the individual. 



