78 MICROSCOPICAL DIAGNOSIS. 



slightly inflamed. The day of the "specific cancer cell" is nearly 

 over, in fact there is no such thing at the present time, the very best 

 pathologists hold strictly that "every pathological growth has its 

 physiological prototype." 



If cells are found in a growth of the character described above, 

 then that growth must be looked upon with suspicion, but before pro- 

 nouncing it a cancer two other things must be carefully noted ; first, 

 the stroma, and second, the arrangement of the cells within the al- 

 veoli. The stroma, or solid portion of the cancer generally consists 

 of a frame-work of connective tissue so arranged that round or oval 

 alveoli are formed, freely communicating with one another, in which 



fig. 2j . Stroma of Scirrhus. 



are grouped together the cells described above. The amount of 

 stroma varies exceedingly. Sometimes it, is so great as to form the 

 largest part of the tumor. The alveolar spaces are then very small, 

 and the growth will be hard to the touch, and the cut surface will 

 yield but little juice. Again it may be very scanty as in the rapidly 

 growing and young cancers. Every possible degree as to quantity 

 exists. Cancers have been found in all tissues save cartilage. The 

 female mammae, uterus, lower lip, stomach, liver, oesophagus and 

 lymphatic glands are all favorite places for the development of the 

 cancers. They may occur alone or in great number, and appear as 

 tumors or as infiltrations. They are very rarely separated from the 

 healthy tissues surrounding them by a capsule, but on the contrary 

 show a close connection with them. 



The blood-vessels are arranged very different from those found 

 in the sarcomata. In the latter it will be remembered the vessels 

 ramify all through the growth, and their walls being composed of em- 

 bryonic connective tissue, they easily rupture and then the elements 



