ELASTIC FIBRES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE. 81 



be mentioned that very beautiful preparations may be obtained 

 in dense connective tissue by the aid of chloride of gold, after 

 the action of which the cells appear red or bluish red, whilst 

 the fibrous material remains uncoloured* Formerly, acetic 

 acid was frequently employed to bring the cells of connective 

 tissue into view ; but on account of the changes which this re- 

 agent induces in the cells, and the circumstance that the true 

 disposition of the fibrils and fasciculi disappear under its 

 influence, the modes of treatment above recommended will 

 be found to be more appropriate. 



The subjection of the tissue to a boiling temperature was in 

 like manner formerly recommended ;f but, as we now know, this 

 method leads to illusory appearances of the stellate cells brought 

 into view on making transverse section of tendons.^ It is also 

 apt to produce erroneous impressions in the case of other 

 organs composed of connective tissue, from the circumstance 

 that the contracted closely compressed fasciculi, where they lie 

 in juxta-position in the transverse section, present three or four- 

 sided fissures with incurved sides between them. 



Besides the cells, sharply defined fibres become apparent in 

 connective tissue either after treatment with acids, or on boil- 

 ing, as we shall presently describe. Where, however, it is 

 desired to obtain a rapid general view of the disposition of 

 these parts, the last-mentioned method can alone be employed. 



THE ELASTIC FIBRES. These fibres, which are apparent in 

 all forms of connective tissue that have been rendered trans- 

 parent by treatment with acetic acid or by boiling, are sharply 

 defined, and present smooth edges. In boiled connective tissue 

 they are distinguished by their spiral or coiled course, but in 

 connective tissue swollen by immersion in acid they pursue 

 a somewhat straighter course. These fibres are distinguished 



* Cohnheim, Archiv far Pathologische Anatomic, Band xxxviii., p. 352. 



t H -nlc, Jahresbericht, 1850, p. 40 ; and Virchow, Wiirzburger Verhaml- 

 lungen, Band ii., p. 154. 



I ELnle, Jahresbericht, 1851, p. 23. Reichert, Miiller's Archiv, 1854, 

 p. 38. Bruch, Zeitschrift far wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Band vi., p. 474. 

 Rollctt, loc. cit., Band xxx., p. 69. 



