362 The Fungus Disease of India. [part ii. 



small groups of the lobules have been replaced by cavities containing the dark 

 material. 



Numerous fragments of tissues immediately adjoining the cavities were subjected 

 to careful microscopic examination, with results as follow : — 



(1) Muscular tissue from various parts of the foot. P'or the most part in a 

 tolerably normal condition ; at one spot only could distinctly disintegrated fibres 

 be distinguished. All the samples were subjected to the influence of various re-agents, 

 including the free use of liquor potassse, but nothing peculiar could be distinguished. 



(2) The membranous lining of the cavities and channels or sinuses. This 

 consists of ordinary fibrous tissue, and microscopically is in no way to be distinguished 

 from similar tissue lining cavities in other abnormal conditions. Such specimens 

 were purposely obtained with a view of instituting comparisons. Frequently redupli- 

 cations of fibrous tissue form septa, so as to separate a cavity into partially distinct 

 compartments. Neither could we distinguish any unusual appearance in the tissue 

 forming these septa, although they were necessarily in immediate contact with the 

 dark material in every direction. Every re-agent we could think of was resorted to 

 here also. 



(3) Small fragments of bone from immediately adjoining the excavated parts, 

 forming in fact the osseous boundary of the cavities, were subjected to the action 

 of potash under the microscope. The granular matter filling up the interstices of 

 the bony tissue was rapidly disposed of, but no new structures were brought to 

 light, although the opened-out condition of the cancellated tissue was highly favourable 

 to accurate inspection. 



The nature of the dark material will be considered further on in detail ; it 

 will be sufficient here to state that, after subjecting fragments of it to more or less 

 prolonged action of liquor potassse, numerous filaments and cellular bodies were 

 brought into view. 



Specimen II (Plate XXVII, Fig. 2). — This preparation consisted of the right heel 

 and ankle — amputation having been performed through the lower fourth of the tibia 

 and fibula. The fore part of the foot had been removed. It was in an excellent 

 state of preservation. It had been put up by Dr. Mark Kobinson, of Madura, in 

 brine, and forwarded to us without delay, as a specimen of the affection which, 

 although possessing distinct black granules, was not one in which the tissues are 

 extensively diseased. 



Dr. Robinson also favoured us with a note as to the condition of the limb before 

 amputation. His words are : — " Right ankle much enlarged, and on both the inner 

 and outer side numerous sinuses — a slight elevation round each opening. A thin 

 yellowish discharge exuded from these openings : no dead bone to be felt by probing. 

 He was unable to walk on this foot. 



"After removal of the foot a cut was made through the soft tissues of the ankle, 

 and it was found that they were infiltrated with a yellowish gelatinous substance : 



