SPECIFIC FORMS OF LYMPHADENITIS. 239 



three. It consists in the complete resolution of the cheesy 

 matter. It takes place, in all probability, by a liquefaction of 

 the gland at its periphery, followed by absorption of the result- 

 ing fluid into the vessels of the capsule which are dilated by 

 ^collateral hypersemia. 



§ 206. We have yet to speak of chronic induration ; a pheno- 

 menon which belongs to the category of inflammation. Attention 

 has already been called to the fact that it is only the rapid 

 accumulation of lymph-corpuscles in the lymphadenoid substance 

 which causes rupture of the reticulum ; this of course implies 

 the converse proposition, viz. that a sloio and gradual increase 

 in the number of the embedded cells is not followed by any such 

 damage to the retiform tissue. Nay, we find the chronic changes 

 associated with a very marked " reactive " thickening and elonga- 

 tion of all the trabeculas of the reticulum. The latter accord- 

 ingly increases in bulk to such an extent that the corpuscular 

 elements come at length to occupy very little room in comparison, 

 and the entire gland becomes tough and fibrous. 



§ 207. III. Sypliilis. The indurated chancre (§ 110)— the 

 primary manifestation of constitutional syphilis — is followed by 

 a chronic induration of the corresponding lymphatic glands; 

 this is known as the "indolent bubo"; the induration however 

 is due not so much to a hardening and quantitative increase of 

 the reticulum, as to a very uniform though by no means 

 luxuriant proliferation of young cells in all parts of the gland. 

 Every vacant space is crammed with cells ; and here the matter 

 >ends, at least for the time. Injection by simple puncture causes 

 a similar, though of course only transient enlargement and 

 hardening of the glands. This condition may remain unaltered 

 for months and years together ; it seldom proceeds either to a 

 more acute inflammatory activity on the one hand, or to casea- 

 tion and necrosis on the other. Ultimately, however, a fatty 

 degeneration of the cells sets in, the debris are reabsorbed, and 

 the gland returns to its normal state. 



IV. Typlious degeneration (§ 112) of the lymphatic glands, as 

 a specific result of corresponding lesions of the mucous mem- 

 brane, will be discussed among the diseases of mucous membranes. 

 The histology of the process is characterised by a cell-form which 

 has already been briefly described in § 112. 



§ 208. V. Sarcoma, Lymphadenoid sarcoma has its proto- 



