OF CIRRHOSIS, &C. 533 



serous membranes; it is found also infiltrated in the substance 

 of the mucous membrane, false membranes, ganglions, &c. 



Melanosis, examined chemically, appears composed, 1st, of 

 coloured fibrine; 2d, of a blackish colouring matter, soluble 

 in weak sulphuric acid and in the solution of the subcarbonate 

 of soda, and colouring these fluids red ; 3d, of a small quantity 

 of albumen; 4th, of chloruret of sodium, of subcarbonate of 

 soda, of phosphate of lime and oxide of iron. 



The composition of melanosis is then very analogous to that 

 of the clot of the blood, that is to say to the colouring matter 

 and fibrine, both in a particular state; three gross substances 

 are also met with in it. 



Melanosis softens slowly, under the form of blackish bouil- 

 lie; and, according to its seat, this substance becomes effused 

 in the cavities, where it infiltrates in such a manner as to co- 

 lour the humours and tissues. Sometimes, but rarely, subcu- 

 taneous melanosis ulcerates; Dr. Ferrus has observed a case 

 of this sort. In the state of softening, evei^when extreme, 

 this tissue has little tendency to spread or increase; it does 

 not determine in the organization a deleterious action so 

 marked as the preceding. The alterations which have been 

 most often observed are a general decoloration, dropsies, tor- 

 por, a debility analogous to what takes place in the scurvy. 



Melanosis has been found in many parts, and especially in 

 the common cellular membrane, in the muscles, in the heart, 

 in the lymphatic glands, in the orbit, in the eye, in the lungs, 

 the liver, the kidneys, the pancreas, the spleen, the cellular 

 tissue of the mammas, the accidental cellular tissue, &c. 



Melanosis appears to result from an aberration of some of 

 the materials, and especially of the colouring matter of the 

 blood. 



V. OP ciRRHosft &c. 



841. Cirrhosis, or the fulvid morbid tissue, exists some- 

 times under the form of masses; it has been seen also under 

 the form of plates and of a cyst. 



fr In masses, this tissue is fulvid, dull, flaccid, humid, com- 

 pact, analogous to the tissue of the renal capsules: it does not 



