MICROSCOPICAL DIAGNOSIS. 39 



Vomited matter is usually examined to ascertain the nature of some 

 serious affection of the stomach, usually suspected cancer. The 

 "coffee-ground vomit" appears to be due to the presence of the 

 coloring matter of the blood. The blood has gradually escaped 

 into the cavity of the stomach and after a time has become broken 

 clown with the above result. This peculiar vomit, due to this cause, 

 may occur in other diseases than those of a cancerous nature. The 

 vomited matter, in cases of suspected cancer, should be carefully 

 examined for any large, irregular, boldly nucleated cells. The 

 presence of such cells, together with physical signs, would aid in 

 arriving at a correct diagnosis. 



FAECAL MATTER. 



Matter passed by the bowels may be examined in particular 

 cases with great benefit. In this way the character of casts can be 

 determined, as well as the presence of the various entozoon. Objects 

 which present an unusual appearance in the faeces tend to frighten 

 the ignorant and the physician is often called upon for an opinion 

 in such cases. 



As a sample we recall the following: 



A patient called in great trouble of mind over her distressed 

 condition. "The mucous membrane of the whole alimentary canal 

 was gradually passing off." Home remedies had been tried for a 

 number of days without effect, in fact the disease was on the 

 increase. 



The person was exceedingly nervous and greatly agitated over 

 her "deplorable condition." We obtained some of the "mucous 

 membrane" and brought the microscope to our aid. The membrane 

 was resolved into the beautiful spiral vessels of the vegetable king- 

 dom. A close questioning revealed the fact that celery had formed 

 a large part of the diet for a number of days, and the more the 

 patient worried so much the more celery was eaten "to. quiet the 

 nerves." Fragments of tobacco leaf have been the cause of alarm, 

 "looking like long, slender worms." Von Duben relates how frag- 

 ments of linen, imbedded in the mucus and feces, were mistaken for 

 intestinal worms. Again, how a number of small, white, equally 

 .wide pieces of cellular tissue from meat-balls looked like links of 

 tapeworm. 



