BLOOD. 271 



in the quantity of fibrin. In one of these cases (the third vene- 

 section of the second case) it amounted only to 3*6 in 1000 

 parts of blood. The blood for this analysis was taken at a period 

 when the patient was much reduced by marasmus. 



Dissection revealed the existence of pus in the cavity of the 

 abdomen, a consequence of the previous inflammation. 



The second instance is that of the 1st venesection of the fourth 

 case, in which 3-8 of fibrin Avere found. This case was that of 

 a woman labouring under suppression of the catamenia, who was 

 seized with violent pains in the abdomen, which were attributed 

 to mere uterine congestion : there was no fever present. The 

 blood contained 3-8 of fibrin, little more than the normal pro- 

 portion. At the expiration of two days the pain became more 

 acute, and the blood taken at the second venesection contained 

 4-6 of fibrin. From this rapid increase of the fibrin it was in- 

 ferred (although there was no fever) that something more than 

 simple hypergemia of the uterus was present ; and, in point of 

 fact, on the following day all the symptoms of metroperitonitis 

 were established. 



At the third venesection, 6-1 of fibrin were found in the 

 blood. After this time the patient began to improve. 



This case is of much interest, as affording an illustration of 

 the importance of chemical research in the formation and esta- 

 blishment of diagnosis. 



[A singular case of peritonitis, in which milky serum was ob- 

 served, has been recently published by Heller. It occurred in 

 a robust but not corpulent man, aged 40 years. The blood, 

 when first drawn, was of the ordinary colour, and on standing, 

 the clot and serum separated perfectly, the former not exhibit- 

 ing a buffy coat. 



In 1000 parts of blood there were : 



Fibrin .... 4-72 



Blood-corpuscles . . 80"13 



In 1000 parts of the serum there were : 



Water .... 829-515 



Solid residue . . . 170-485 



Fat .... 50-473 



Albumen . . . 108-791 



Extractive matters and salts 11-221 



