156 OKGANISED FLUIDS. 



in reference to its organisation, some observers conceding to 

 it a very complex structure, others denying it even the most 

 simple organisation. 



Some of the more remarkable of the opinions entertained 

 by the more noted investigators may here be referred to. 



According to Turpin, " the structure of the milk globule 

 consists of two spherical vesicles fitting the one into the 

 other, and enclosing in their interior very fine globules and 

 buttery oil." * 



Mandl says, " the globules of milk ought then to be con- 

 sidered as organised corpuscles, composed of a membrane 

 probably formed of cheese, and of contents which constitute 

 the butter." f 



Henle writes, the globules of milk " are not simple mole- 

 cules of grease, and have an independent membrane sur- 

 rounding them } ; " this he elsewhere states to be probably 

 composed of caseine, in which respect there is an agreement 

 of opinion between Henle and Mandl. 



The complex structure ascribed to the milk globule by 

 Turpin it is altogether impossible to demonstrate; and the ex- 

 periments and observations which have hitherto been made 

 in reference to its constitution are entirely opposed to his 

 view, which may safely, therefore, be considered to be in- 

 correct. 



Mandl founded his belief of the existence of a distinct 

 membrane enveloping the globules mainly on the following ob- 

 servation : He remarked that if a little drop of milk be com- 

 pressed strongly between two plates of glass, the upper plate 

 at the same time being drawn over the surface of the other 

 in a straight line, the milk globules will be broken up by the 

 compression, and drawn out into a certain form : if a magnify- 

 ing glass be applied to the globules thus compressed, they 

 will be seen to present the appearance of long pale and 

 straight lines, with smaller straight lines placed usually at 

 right angles to the larger ones. " These little lines," he says, 



* Annales des Sciences Naturelles. f Anat. Micros, p. 53. 



J Anat. Gen. t. vii. p. 522. 



