TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 165 



and ovipositor (as it would be in addition) in this case, whilst through the first series 

 ova and spermatozoa might both descend into the matrix, and so the animal be 

 fertile per seipsum. I have found the spermatozoa in the first tract more frequently 

 than in the corresponding one in Helix. I have no doubt on this head. I believe 

 that in Limnaa ova may also be transferred by the same route, unless sperm- or 

 tissue-cells have been mistaken for them. In Limine* there are two distant open- 

 ings for the male and female organs. I have noticed that in the sexual approach 

 one set of organs are often solely employed, so that there would appear to be a pro- 

 bability of barrenness in one. Often also three individuals are concerned in the act, 

 and one might escape fertilization ; and again, there is no doubt that the animal, 

 raised from the fry and kept distinct, may be fertile : in the supply of spermatozoa 

 through the double duct to both series there may be an instance of the fecundity so 

 general in nature. I should add that there is a distinct gland here, opening into the 

 lower portion of the contorted canal, which appears to have the office of furnishing 

 albumen to the ova, secreted first under the form of lucid particles of regular form, 

 too large to be called molecules ; of which, however, there is an abundance in these 

 organs, some with very active movements, which I suppose we must call monads ; 

 others more minute, darker, and less active, and which must rank as colour parti- 

 cles, or active molecules. 



The transit of the interventional duct in Limncea through the muscles of the 

 side of the animal was considered by Cuvier to be an approach to that disposition, 

 where the penis is widely separated from the other organs, and connected only by a 

 groove in the flank, as iii Bullma or Aphjsia. The Doris or Eolis presents a simpler 

 type, and Hyalaa or Cleodora one simpler still. All of these I have examined, but 

 need not dwell upon. 



The Specific, Chemical and Microscopical Phenomena of Gouty Inflammation. 

 By A. B. Garrod, M.D., F.R.S. fyc. 



Dr. Garrod remarked that many and discordant views were held concerning the 

 nature of gouty inflammation, and such diversity of opinion arose from the fact, that, 

 up to the present time, no characteristic structural change had ever been demon- 

 strated to accompany it ; the object of his communication was to supply that 

 deficiency, and prove that special chemical and microscopical phenomena invariably 

 attend true gouty inflammation. After alluding very shortly to the views held by 

 the ancients, and" within the last century by Murray Forbes, and Wollaston, and by 

 Cullen and his followers, and to the difficulties which each had to contend with in 

 applying their hypotheses to the explanation of the various symptoms of the disease, 

 he proceeded to speak of his discovery of the constant presence of uric acid in the 

 blood in gout, and his subsequent researches in the nature of that disease. From 

 these he drew the three following conclusions : — 



1st. In health, the blood contains minute traces of urate of soda and urea, and 

 probably of all the principles destined for excretion ; but the quantities are so small, 

 that the most careful and refined analysis is required to demonstrate their presence. 



2nd. In gout, the blood is invariably rich in urate of soda, and uric acid can be 

 readily crystallized from it. 



3rd. In by far the greater number of diseases the blood is free from an abnormal 

 quantity of uric acid, but in certain cases of albuminuria, lead poisoning and other 

 affections, its presence can be demonstrated, and still no gouty inflammation ensue ; 

 lastly, in many gouty subjects the same condition exists in the intervals of the 

 paroxysms. 



From these conclusions Dr. Garrod considered it evident that something more 

 than the mere presence of urate of soda in the blood was required to produce gouty 

 inflammation, and his next object was to ascertain its nature. 



For this purpose a careful examination of the joints which had suffered was 

 required, and within the last few years many opportunities had fallen to his lot ; the 

 subjects of these examinations were divided into four classes : — 



First. Subjects of chronic gout with extensive chalk-stones. 



Second. Subjects of gout with no appreciable deformity, and no visible deposits 

 of chalk-stones, except one or more specks on the external ear. 



