SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
143 
this disease is prevalent among the people, it is found that it is 
also prevalent among the food-producing animals. 
Dr. McCurdy : I think of another question. It seems to 
me that I have seen the cysts very much larger and of a slightly 
darker color. Do they vary in color ? 
Dr. Stewart: The cuticular and mother membranes under¬ 
go changes as the hydatids become more and more aged. The 
cysts become opaque or white and undergo degeneration and 
the original structures become so transformed that it is difficult 
if not impossible to determine their original character. Often 
the question is determined by finding the cephalic hooks. 
Dr. Cock : Are there any means by which we can diagnose 
this in the hydatid form either in man or animal ante-mortem, 
and have we any secure means of confirming our diagnosis ? 
Dr. Stewart: This is certainly a very practical side of the 
question from the human standpoint. If some of the contents 
of the cyst be secured by the exploring trocar, there is no doubt 
the proliferous cysts or individual heads would float out with 
the fluid, and by microscopical examination the character of the 
cyst would be determined in this way. 
Dr. Cock: It seems to me that it is stated that its character 
may be determined by the absence of albuminous material in 
the fluid. 
Dr. Stewart ; I think the absence of albumen is noted in the 
fluid obtained from a variety of cysts. 
Dr. Heck : This discussion concerning the character of the 
cystic fluid calls to mind our discussion in a former meeting con¬ 
cerning the character of fluid contained in the cystic kidneys, 
and it might not be out of place for me to revert to the subject 
here. I have made some analyses of the fluid obtained from cystic 
kidneys, and have found it to be as follows : Alkaline in reaction, 
specific gravity 1007, albumen in large quantities. I would b^ 
pleased to hear other reports in regard to the cystic kidneys. I 
find there is a disease or condition in human practice known as 
hydro-nephrosis. Whether this is analogous to our cystic kid¬ 
neys I am not able to say, but the resemblance is very striking. 
They are supposed to be a collection of the urine developed 
through obstruction of the uriniferous tubules or occlusion of 
the ureters themselves. These cysts do not always contain 
urine, but sometimes contain fluid of a urineverous nature. 
After the discussion recess was taken to exchange greetings 
with those who had come in since the opening of the meeting 
(To be continued.) 
