ON THE PATHOLOGICAL MORPHOLOGY OF SOME FLUIDS. 199 



Of Mucus from Mucous Membranes affected with Chronic Blennorrhoea. 



Mucus from chronic blennorrhoea of the vagina and urinary bladder, 

 is yellowish-white, but little ductile, easily renders water turbid, and 

 white flocculi remain in contact with the bottom of the vessel. I ob- 

 served other properties like those with mucus produced from a more 

 intense inflammation of membranes. 



Under the microscope there appear: 



1 . A small quantity of a ductile amorphous mass. 



2. Very copious yellowish- white globules, of which some seem com- 

 posed of an envelope, very small molecules, and central vesicles, some 

 of an envelope and central vesicle, and lastly others of very small mole- 

 cules only, and destitute of all covering. Plate 7, figs. 20, 22. 



Of the Lochial Discharge. 



Shortly after parturition, the lochial discharge, rightly investigated, 

 exhibits a sanguineous colour, gives out an animal odour, is but little 

 ductile, and dried in the air leaves a red, friable mass. Treated with 

 distilled water, three substances are observed : 



1. A reddish- white soluble substance, (Haematosine.) 



2. White flocculi quickly falling to the bottom, (Fibrine.) 



3. Yellowish -white flocculi suspended in the water, (Vaginal mucus.) 



Investigated by the microscope, it consist : 



1. Of a ductile amorphous mass. 



2. Of blood particles. 



3. Of mucous globules, composed of an envelope and primitive mole- 

 cules. 



4. Of epithelium. 



When we compare mucus secreted from the vagina during parturi- 

 tion, Plate 7, fig. 2, which consists of small globules a, d, enclosing pri- 

 mitive molecules ; also, of small globules e, enclosing two larger mole- 

 cules, with mucus secreted 13 hours after parturition, Plate 7, fig. 12, 

 we shall perceive an essential difference between mucus produced from 

 the healthy vagina, and that from the same organ when irritated. 



On the second day, globules endowed with central vesicles, appear ; 

 and, in proportion as the uterus shall have been injured, so in propor- 

 tion will these globules be found increased in quantity. As the dis- 

 charge becomes paler, the number of blood particles decreases, and the 

 quantity of the larger globules on the contrary, increases. 



