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F. S. BILLINGS. 
sections were examined uncolored, whilst others were stained (according 
to Rauvier s* method), by hematoxylin and picrocarmial. 
Sections taken from the surface of the fresh mammary gland, after 
being scraped or teased out, and treated with a half per cent, solution 
of natrium chloratum, presented, under the microscope, round, stellate, 
oval and spindle-shaped cellular elements, as well as the so-called giant 
cells. The round cells contain a large nucleus, with one or two nuc¬ 
leoli. In the stellate, oval and spindle formed cells, we found oval or 
biscuit shaped nuclei, with one or more nucleoli. The giant cells were 
round, stellate having small or large processes. The protoplasm of these 
cells was granular. The nuclei were situated either in the center of the 
cell, or occupied the whole or only part of the periphery. Sections of 
the fresh mammae, made with a razor, demonstrated that in some places 
the interstitial tissues were in a fresh hyperplastic condition ; other 
places, on the contrary, were to be recognized in the later stadium of 
chronic interstitial mastitis in a high grade of development 5 so much 
so, that the interstitial connective tissue was present in double the quan¬ 
tity it is under normal conditions; further, between the lobule, and also 
the alveole of the glands, I saw round or oval nodule of a lymphosar- 
comatose character, which have been described as the elements of the 
nodule (perlknoten). The nodules are from 0.075-0.450 m.m. in size, 
and aie composed of giant cells, connected together by comparatively 
long and ramifying processes. They are also united with the surround¬ 
ing stellate connective tissue cells, and connective tissue fibers, which 
form the reticulum of the nodule. In the alveole of the reticulum, one 
finds giant cells which exactly correspond to those just described ; also 
elements containing a single nucleus, which resembles granulations, or 
lymph cells, between which one perceives fine fibers in connection with 
the reticulum. In some lobule, the excretory ducts were obliterated, 
whilst others were varicosely dilated, and filled with round cells. 
The alveoles were atrophied in some places, but in others they are 
distended, and lined with cubical epithelium. In their lumen, one finds 
a gieat quantity of fat-globules. These distended alveoloe were to be 
found in such places as we have above described as microscopic white 
lobules, resembling adipose tissue. 
The investigation of preparations hardened in Muller’s fluid, ren¬ 
dered it possible for us to explain, and more exactly comprehend, the 
above-mentioned patho-anatomical changes. 
* Rauvier. Traite d’histologie. Paris, 1875. 
