220 SPECIFIC GRAVITY. 



glands is in a state of wondrous activity. We have 

 such an excess of action that cells are cast off from 

 the vesicles prematurely, and tear off the adjoining 

 cetls while contact still exist. The colostrum cor- 

 puscle is theoretically but a portion of the lining of 

 the milk-vesicle, detached before the cells have 

 arrived at the stage of the milk-globule. It is but a 

 stage of development of milk-globules. It may be 

 caused by excess or defect in nutrition, through any 

 cause which may produce an imperfect develop- 

 ment of the cells of the acini. Hence, when sick- 

 ness overtakes a cow, even at a long period from 

 calving, colostrum corpuscles may appear in her 

 milk. 



By careful microscopic observation, I have been 

 able to detect no difference between the globules 

 present in the colostrum and the milk-globule pres- 

 ent in the milk. The action of ether, in my hands, 

 does not cause the globules to disappear, although it 

 may have some action on the granules. I sometimes 

 have noticed a change produced, without my being 

 able to define exactly what the change was. 



The specific gravity of cream must be subject to 

 considerable variation, according as the globules vary 

 in size and the thickness of the investing coating. 

 As writers have experimented with milk from differ- 

 ent breeds of cows, and under different circum- 

 stances, it is no wonder that their results are dis- 

 cordant, but it is unfortunate that we do not have 

 sufficient particulars to enable us to place the reason 

 in the right place. 



