62 



Anatomy and Physiology. 



1 . — Review of the latest investigations regarding the intimate 

 structure of the Liver. By Mandl. 



The researches of authors have left it still quite undecided 

 in what manner the biliary canals terminate, and what their 

 relation is to the hepatic cellules. 



The existence of hepatic cellules is a fact recognized by all 

 microscopic observers. Every one knows that they are true 

 cellules provided with a special envelope, and with a nucleus 

 containing granules, and at times little drops of fat. In our 

 researches among different animals, we have at times met with 

 livers whose cellules could be easily isolated, as in the ox ; at 

 times they formed irregular masses, or longitudinal rows, 

 composed of more or less coherent cellules. In all these 

 cases, it is only required to place a portion of liver for half an 

 hour, or an hour, in a concentrated solution of caustic potass, 

 to make the cellules plainly visible. Their nuclei are also 

 then much more distinct. Retaining them too long in the 

 potass, or making pressure on the cellules, destroys the 

 cellular membrane, and the contents, the granules and the 

 drops escape. The abundance of granules or of drops in the 

 interior of the cellule, renders it difficult at times to recognise 

 the nucleus : the potass extracts the granules, and then 

 the nucleus can easily be seen. By the side of the cellules 

 we often also see primitive corpuscles (nuclei) swimming freely. 

 Like all other cellules, those which constitute the hepatic 

 tissue, undergo different degrees of development ; and there- 

 fore we must not wonder at observing great differences in 

 their dimensions, not only in different animals but in the 

 same species and in the same individual. In stating their 

 dimensions, we of course speak of those of perfect cellules. 

 According to our observations, they measure in the duck from 

 0.015 to 0.02 millimetres, in the mouse 0.008 to 0.01, in 



