268 HISTOLOGY OF THE MORBID PROCESSES. 



In fatty degeneration the process is similar to that already 

 described as taking place in albuminoid degeneration ; but here 

 the albuminoid granules are replaced by globules of fat. These 

 vary in size from mere granules of minute dimensions to distinct 

 globules of considerable diameter (Fig. 246). The fat is left 



FIG. 246. 



Fatty degeneration of the cardiac muscle. (Israel.) In some portions of the preparation the 

 cross-striations of the contractile substance are retained. In these portions the fatty 

 metamorphosis has not taken place. In other places the contractile substance has been 

 destroyed and the cells are charged with minute granules and with small globules of fat. 

 The preparation is unstained, so that the nuclei are not prominent. They have been 

 omitted from the figure. Specimen prepared by teasing the fresh tissue. 



unchanged upon treatment with weak acids or alkalies, and is 

 stained a dark brown or black by solutions of osmic acid (see Fig. 

 186), reactions which distinguish fatty from albuminoid granules. 

 They are, furthermore, dissolved by ether or strong alcohol, which 

 leave albuminoid granules undissolved. In specimens which have 

 been hardened in alcohol the fat is removed from the cells, which 

 then contain little clear spaces in which the fat was situated in the 

 fresh condition of the tissues. This removal of the fat is likely 

 to be still more perfect if the specimen has been embedded in cel- 

 loidin, solutions of which contain ether. 



Albuminoid degeneration occurs in acute diseases, such as the 

 exanthemata, typhoid fever, septicaemia, etc., which are all char- 

 acterized by fever. It also occurs in cases of damage to the tissues, 

 insufficient immediately to kill the cells, but great enough to induce 

 inflammation. Because of this frequent association with inflam- 

 matory changes in other tissue-elements albuminoid degeneration 

 has been termed "acute parenchymatous inflammation." The dam- 

 age may be the result of some externally applied injury, or it may be 

 occasioned by a sudden diminution, but not complete arrest, of the 

 nutrient supply; e. g., by the incomplete plugging of a bloodvessel 

 by an embolus. Albuminoid degeneration may also be the result 



