556 STKUCTURE OF THE SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES, BY E. ALBERT. 



In a provisional communication, Landzert * has strongly supported 

 the view that the markings are due to the presence of an endothelium, 

 and not to a serous-canal system. On the other hand, R. B6hm,f in 

 his inaugural dissertation, has entirely accepted Hiiter's view in regard 

 to the appearances brought into view by the action of silver; but 

 adds that from the results of the investigation of fresh objects in salt 

 and water, he believes he has recognised the innermost layer of the 

 synovialis to be composed of a layer of non-nucleated cells. 



If a joint be opened and macerated for a few days in a 

 solution of chromic acid (containing one part of the acid to 

 10,000 or to 5,000 of water) complete cells may be easily 

 brought into view, forming the internal layer of the synovial 

 membrane, and may be rendered still more distinct by staining 

 with carmine. Under these circumstances a continuous layer 

 of roundish or polygonal cells may be observed, which occa- 

 sionally possess short processes, and of which each contains a 

 distinct granulated rounded or oval nucleus with nucleoli. 



The nucleus sometimes occupies almost the whole of the 

 interior of the cell, so that a small margin only represents the 

 remainder of the cell. In other cases the nucleus is central 

 and small, whilst the body of the cell is larger. It can be 

 clearly demonstrated by this method of research that the 

 deeper layer of the synovialis is coated with complete 

 nucleated cells. 



In silvered specimens, again, it appears that two layers of 

 markings can be perceived over large tracts of the synovial 

 membrane. The upper layer presents appearances that essen- 

 tially resemble the contour lines of the cells forming an 

 endothelium, whilst the subjacent layer exhibits the charac- 

 teristic markings of a vascular plexus of serous canals enclosing 

 rhombic and quadratic meshes. If this account be compared 

 with that given by Hiiter, the most noticeable difference 

 appears to be that, according to Hiiter,J the epithelial markings 

 lie in the same plane with the keratoid (serous canals). If it 

 can be demonstrated from successful preparations that this is 



* Centralblatt fiir die medidnische Wissenschaften, 1867, No. 24. 



* Beitrcige zur Anatomie und Patholoyie der Gelenke, 1868. 

 1 Loc. cit.j p. 43. 



