138 ORGANISED FLUIDS. 



difference is, however, one of degree, and not of kind ; thus 

 the mucous corpuscle is less readily acted upon by the acids 

 than the pus globule ; in the former a solution of acetic acid, 

 not too concentrated, will often disclose but a single, although 

 large, nucleus ; while the same solution applied to the latter, 

 will render apparent seldom less than three or four nucleoli. 

 (See Plate XIII. fig. 2.) This is, however, by no means a 

 constant result, and the effect of the application of strong 

 acetic acid to the mucous globule is almost invariably to 

 render apparent three or four nucleoli ; so that from the cir- 

 cumstance of the number of nuclei disclosed by acetic acid, 

 no opinion can be formed as to the nature of the corpuscle, 

 whether it be a mucous or a pus corpuscle. Of the accuracy 

 of this view, notwithstanding that a contrary opinion is held 

 by many observers, not a doubt can be entertained. 



It is not in every example of pus that we find the well 

 formed and spherical corpuscles, which characterise healthy 

 and normal pus. In the pus which has been long secreted, 

 as in that of old abscesses, we find but few corpuscles, the 

 majority being broken up and reduced to their elementary 

 particles. (See Plate XIII. fig. 5.) 



The best examples of pus corpuscles are seen in pus which 

 has been but recently secreted, as in that just formed on some 

 healthy granulating surface. (See Plate XIII. fig. 1.) 



When, therefore, pus and mucous globules are spoken of, 

 it is not to be understood that these terms indicate two dis- 

 tinct structures, but merely the occurrence of the same solid 

 element in two fluids, which, although usually presenting some 

 points of difference, are in all probability not essentially 

 distinct. 



THE NATURE, ORIGIN, AND FORMATION OF PUS 

 CORPUSCLES. 



In having indicated the nature of mucous globules, we 

 have also, to a very great extent, pointed out that of pus 

 corpuscles, seeing that the corpuscles of both have an organi- 

 sation precisely similar. 



