1890.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 18T 



" In the examinations, preparations were taken from the same part 

 of the heart in the two specimens and treated precisely alike. 



" Results : After comparing. parallel preparations made as described 

 above, I am compelled to say that no constant differences could be 

 found. All the examinations were made finally with a Zeiss Apo- 

 chromatic, yV ocular x I3. 



'• There was an indication in the balsam preparations of a difference. 

 In the heart killed by electricity the longitudinal striation of the muscle 

 cells was very clear, the fibrilla,' seeming to be separated by a compara- 

 tively wide clear line, and in the fibrillar the dark l)and was verv marked, 

 giving the appearance of a row of light antl dark cubes. From the 

 width of the interfibrillar light line the transverse striation was not so 

 marked as the longitudinal. Later the distinction broke down as simi- 

 lar, if not quite so marked, appearances were found in the heart muscle 

 of the butchered calf. 



" The nuclei of the muscle cells were scrutinized with the greatest 

 care, but no difference could be discovered. I am sorry not to be able 

 to give a more satisfactory report, but the subtle fluid seemed to kill 

 without leaving gross enough marks for me to detect." 



The result of examination by \Vm. C. Krauss, M. D., Professor of 

 Pathology. Niagara University, Buffdo, N. Y., of brain of same calf 

 killed at Auburn : 



"■ The left hemisphere and cerebellum immersed in alcohol were pre- 

 sented me for micioscopical examination. 



" Microscopic Examinatioti . — The specimens are in good state of 

 preservation ; pia is not atlherent ; pial vessels are somewhat injected ; 

 convolutions present no abnormalities ; brain substance is firm and re- 

 sistant, not brittle, and shows no petechial extravasations on section. 

 There is a slight discoloration of the pia and underlying brain substance 

 over the frontal and occipital lobes. This, no doubt, was produced by 

 the electric current, and the discoloration, in all probability, is the re- 

 sult of thermic action. 



'•'• The brain was further hardened in alcohol for three weeks, and 

 small sections taken from the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital 

 lobes were mibedded in celloidin preparatory for cutting. No diffi- 

 culty was experienced in cutting very thin sections. The staining 

 methods used were ammonia, carmine, hcematoxylin, and Niessl's 

 magenta red. 



" The sections took an indistinct tiiffused stain, the ganglion cells, etc., 

 lacked that sharpness and clearness of outline which characterizes nor- 

 mal brain tissues. Whether this was the result of chemical change or 

 to some fault in hardening, I am unable to say. 



" As to the physical condition of the ganglion cells, there appeared 

 to be no material change ; nucleus, cell bodv, and poles were in normal 

 condition ; the same was true of the vessels and neuroglia cells. No 

 evidence of hemorrhage into the brain tissue could be discerned. 

 The periganglionic spaces were found free and unobstructed. The re- 

 sult of the microscopic examination is therefore negative as far as the 

 physical condition of the separate brain elements are concerned. 

 Whether the diffused appearance of the sections can be attributed to 

 some chemical change in the protoplasm, I leave unanswered." 



The execution of Kemmler having been set for the week beginning 



