HISTOLOGY OF THE MAMMARY GLAND. 
283 
In the above examinations of fresh preparations, treated with a half 
per cent, solution of natrium chloratum, I could not clearly define the 
epithelium of the alveoloe, and of the excretory ducts ; nor of the cellular 
elements of the previously described nodules (knokhen); the protoplasm 
of the cells was very indistinct, but the nuclei could be more distinctly 
seen. By treating specimens with Muller’s fluid we render the cell ele¬ 
ments more distinctly limited from their surroundings, while the proto¬ 
plasm appears slightly granular, and the nucleus refracting, and of a 
round or oval form. The nuclei are seen more distinctly if the prepa¬ 
ration be hardened in alcohol and stained with hematoxylin ; whereas, 
if the specimen be treated with picrocarmine, the nucleus is stained red 
and the protoplasm yellowish red, thus rendering the nucleus less visible. 
By coloring the specimen with carmine, this purpose is frustrated, for 
not only are the cell elements stained, but also the connective tissue. 
The case, however, was different when hematoxyxlin was used; here 
the nucleus was stained light violet, and the protoplasm bluish, whilst 
the connective tissue remained unstained. 
Preparations prepared in this manner facilitates the study of the 
pathological processes in the interstitial and glandular tissues of the in¬ 
vestigated organs. Therefore, I am in a condition to discuss more 
closely the general phenomena already given of the patho-anatomical 
alterations. The interstitial connective tissue is exceedingly developed, 
and infiltrated with one or more round cells. Between these round cells 
I found giant cells, either separate or connected with each other, their 
size being from 0.030-0.075 m.m., and containing from 3-16 round or 
oval nuclei—from 0.003-0.006 m.m. large. Most of these nuclei are 
found near the periphery, and very seldom in the center of the giant 
cells When the protoplasm is acted upon by a half per cent, solution 
of acet. acid, it becomes clearer, and the nuclei are more distinctly seen. 
The relations of their processes to one another, as well as to the stellate 
and to the reticulum, were exactly as we have already described. I 
could also distinguish isolated giant cells among the connective tissue 
fibers. If the preparation be teased out, the reticular tissue distinctly 
shows itself, and reminds one of the adenoid tissue of the lymph glands. 
Between the connective tissue fibres, which encircle the alveoloe, and 
those deposited around the neoplastic nodules, one sees various stadium 
of hypoplastic connective tissue, and whole rows of round cells, con¬ 
taining a large nucleus. In single preparations, the reticulum, which 
generally surrounded the giant cells, was replaced by round, oval, nay, 
even by epithelium cells. I recognize between the round and oval cells, 
