at the period of the process of transition from the cellular to the fibrous condition.

The three forms of the disease now described may (most probably) be regarded as so many degrees or stages in the development of the same tissue; these successive stages being characterised, 1, by rounded nucleated globules; 2, by elongated oviform globules, which are either non-nucleated, or indistinctly so; and, 3, by fusiform globules.

These several kinds of globules may be regarded as so many successive epochs of evolution, through which a cell must pass before it can become a fibre. Thus we find that, in an Encephaloid mass, there is the same transformation of the primitive elements as occurs in many normal tissues-with this difference only, that the process of evolution is not complete, being arrested before the fibrine is perfectly formed. There is a perfect analogy in their mode of formation. The essential element of an encephaloid tumour is the presence of cells. In some cases the entire mass is composed of them, placed one alongside of the other, but without having any perceptible bond of union; while in others, there is a network of fibrous or cellular tissue interposed between the cells. When this fibrous tissue prevails, the Encephaloid then approaches in characters to the Scirrhous structure. In the latter, the existence of the two elements-cells and fibres-is always more distinctly marked than in the former. The fibres are often quite perceptible by the naked eye. Sometimes they are lengthened and run parallel to each other: at other times, they form rounded capsules, within which the globules are contained. As in the case of the newly-formed fibres of the cellular tissue, so those of a scirrhous formation are destroyed by acetic acid, leaving nuclei or nucleated fibres behind. The fibres sometimes exhibit at different points a sort of varicose enlargement, within each of which a nucleus is found. This appearance is often observed in fibrous tumours (not genuine scirrhus) of the uterus and other parts.

In the reticular Carcinoma of Müller, the white network, which encloses the scirrhous globules in its meshes, is formed of round opaque granulations, three or four times as large as the blood-globules; they are occasionally agglomerated into rounded masses. The genuine Scirrhous tissue, of a pale greyish colour, is composed of globules that, on the whole, resemble those of the first stage of an Encephaloid formation. These globules are either round or somewhat oval: along with them we find free nuclei with their nucleoli.—(Vogel.)

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From a variety of observations we may reasonably conclude that the cells of Scirrhus are formed around the nuclei of which M. Vogel speaks; their contents are at first granular and almost opaque. When the process of softening commences, the granulations disappear, the globules become transparent, and within them are formed new cells, which at first are few in number, and gradually multiply, until they entirely fill the parent cell. M. Valentin, who, in part at least, admits this account of the progress of the cells, says, that the parent cells eventually burst and discharge their cellules: in this way we may account for the presence of young free cells in scirrhous formations that have become softened.

The intercellular substance seems to undergo certain modifications corresponding with the evolution of the cells; the granulations or granular points, which it often contains, usually disappear, and it becomes limpid, while at the same time the space, which it occupies, is diminished by the enlargement and multiplication of the cells.

The fibrous network does not appear to follow in its alterations the development of the cells: it may remain firm and resisting, while the cells are far advanced in their evolution. Even when a scirrhous tumour has become completely softened, this tissue sometimes forms shreds that retain their original character.

In alveolar Cancer, the basis of the morbid tissue consists of white fibres and lamellæ, which cross and intercross with each other, intercepting between the meshes thereby formed limpid cells, either closed or communicating with each other, of various sizes from that of a grain of sand to that of a large pea, and filled with a transparent gelatinous substance. In this substance there are cells, and these cells contain other cells more minute. The smallest of these cells exhibit at one point of their parietes a distinct dark-yellowish nucleus, and sometimes also many free and unattached granules floating within them. To this species M. Müller refers the gelatiniform and areolar cancers of Laennec and Cruveilhier. The cells of this species of the disease appear to be only an advanced or more mature degree of the cells of Scirrhus.—Journal de Chirurgie de M. Malgaigne, Octobre, 1844.

PROFESSOR BERRUTTI ON THE SPONTANEOUS GENERATION AND
NATURE OF THE SPERMATIC ANIMALCULES.

The reproduction of certain animal and vegetable species is effected, without the intervention of any ovum, after the manner of what is called gemmiparous and fissiparous generation. Now there is a great analogy between the development of gemma and that of ova. In the former, however, all the elements, that are necessary to the production of a living being, are found contained; whereas, the latter have need of the new elements of the prolific fluid before they can become duly evolved.

Every particle of a living being-which, on being detached from its parent body, is capable of reproducing an independent living creature-does not materially differ from a bud, either in its mode of origin, or in its property of producing new individuals. Thus organic molecules, in certain circumstances, have the power of attracting to themselves new materials from surrounding bodies, which they then incorporate with themselves, and so elaborate as to form a new being. Spontaneous generation, in the opinion of Professor Berrutti, consists in the exercise of this property, and differs from oviparous, gemmiparous, and fissiparous generation, in that it takes place among molecules which, in consequence of the death of the parent, have ceased to constitute a part of a living individual.

Microscopic observations have clearly shewn that the globules, resulting from the dissolution of organic matter, possess an inherent activity: sometimes they approach to and unite with each other, and at other times they seem to be mutually repellent. It is not at all inconsistent with rational belief to suppose that this is the cause of spontaneous generation-an act, it may be observed, to which the concurrence of the atmospheric air and of water is probably always neces

sary.

The reproduction of parts of an organic body that have been excised or destroyed is effected by means of globules floating in a fluid which subsequently evaporates, leaving the globules dry hence the cellular production and origin of new tissues. The same process of assimilation is likewise that by means of which the fœtus is formed in the maternal ovum, as Wolf and Rolando have shewn.

The necessary condition, therefore, of every sort of generation, reproduction, and even of the nutrition of organised parts is invariably the presence of certain organic globules endowed with a plastic activity, and floating in a fluid exposed to the contact of the atmospheric air-which, in place of furnishing carbonic acid as it does to plants, supplies ammonia for the spontaneous generation of animals. The fluid in its turn supplies hydrogen and oxygen.

The organic productions of spontaneous generation are the most simple of all,

because they spring from organic globules that are not expressly prepared for this purpose.

Professor Berrutti is of opinion that not only infusory, but also entozoary, animalcules are developed by spontaneous generation. He considers it too as highly probable that the acarus scabiei is the product, rather than the cause, of the itch. Lastly, he seeks to show that the Zoosperms are not genuine animalcules, but rather organic molecules formed in the minute extremities of the spermatic tubes by the effect of an exuberant nutrition. The action of the Zoosperms seems to be very analogous to that of the Pollen in the fecundation of plants; and their movements may fairly be compared to those of this vegetable matter.-Annali Univ. di Medicina, Iuglio, 1844, and Revue Medicale, Nov. 1844.

CERVICAL FISTULE, A REMNANT OF EMBRYOTIC ORGANISATION.

Dr. Munemayer of Verden has collected together the histories of fifteen cases of this congenital malady. The following are the conclusions which he has drawn from his researches on the subject.

1. Fistula of the neck always occur in the same locality; viz., in the anterior lateral part of the neck. Their orifice corresponds to the angle formed by the internal bundle of the sterno-mastoid muscle and the sternal end of the clavicle. It is rare that they are ever observed more within the edge of this muscle, or at all behind it.

2. Their orifice is always very small, and in some cases it is scarcely visible. The surrounding skin is usually more or less affected: sometimes it is red and projecting, while in other cases it exhibits longitudinal folds which become more prominent during the acts of respiration and deglutition.

3. The discharge is secreted by an internal membrane, the nature of which

seems to be intermediate between serous and mucous tissues.

4. The opening of these fistulæ is always directed towards the esophagus and pharynx. In some cases they make themselves a passage through these canals; while, in others, they terminate in a cul-de-sac : hence the division into such as are complete, and such as are incomplete. Their trajet is manifested externally by a sort of hardish cord that is readily perceptible by the finger, and is similar to the excretory ducts of the conglomerate glands of Wharton, Steno, &c. Those fistulæ, that are incomplete, are usually from half a line to two lines in depth.

5. Dr. Munemayer coincides in the opinion of Dr. Aycherson, that these cervical fistula are to be regarded as a remnant or vestige of the fœtal organisation; the parts which represent the brachia in the embryo, being not completely closed. It is not always quite safe to close them up, especially when they are complete. -Med. Wochenschrift, Juin, 1844, and Revue Medicale, Dec. 1844.

M. FLOURENS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF Bone.

The following three propositions embody the chief results of M. Flourens' recent investigations upon this most interesting subject of enquiry.

1. Bone is formed by the periosteum. 2. It grows by the superposition of external layers. 3. The medullary canal is enlarged by the absorption of the internal layers of the bone.

The experiments, on which the first of these propositions is based, were performed on dogs. A portion of one of the ribs was excised; removing only the

bone, and leaving the periosteum behind. It was found that, after the expiry of a few days, a minute osseous nucleus was formed within the periosteum between the two divided ends of the rib. This nucleus became larger and larger, until at length it rejoined these ends, the one to the other, thus filling up the void space between them.

The numerous preparations, exhibited by M. Flourens at the Royal Academy, clearly show that the new bone is formed in the periosteum; that, when it is first formed, it is completely insulated and apart from the old bone; and that it is only by its gradual development and extension that it ultimately reaches the two divided ends of the old bone, thus re-uniting them together.

The second proposition-bone grows in size by the super-position of external layers-was established by numerous experiments on dogs and rabbits. One of the tibia was exposed, the periosteum divided, and a ring of platinum wire was then passed around between the bone and its investing membrane. The wound being then closed and left undisturbed, it was found after a certain period that the new bone, that had been formed, fairly invested with its recently-deposited layers the platinum wire. The third proposition was equally satisfactorily made out by the preparations that were exhibited.-Comptes Rendus-Encyclographie des Sciences Medicales, Oct. 1844.

ON THE DEPOSITION OF CARBONACEOUS MATTER IN THE TISSUE OF THE LUNGS.

1. There is continually forming and accumulating in the lungs of man, during adult life, and more especially in old age, a certain amount of carbon in a state of the most minute subdivision.

2. This carbon, that exists even in the very substance of the pulmonary tissues, does not come from without.

3. Wherever it exists in sufficient quantity to form deposits of one millimetre in extent, the air-tubes, the blood-vessels, and the pulmonary tissues become transformed into a dark-coloured substance, which may occupy even more than one half of the entire lungs.

4. The respiration no longer goes on in those parts which serve as a matrix to the carbonaceous deposit; there also, the phenomena of the circulation do not take place in the state of disease, and the process of inflammation is consequently never developed.

5. The successive accumulation of this carbon beyond a certain term is apt to cause death in old age, by rendering the pulmonary tissue more or less impermeable to the air.

6. The constant presence of this substance in the lungs of old persons is one cause of the fatality of pneumonia and congestive affections of the respiratory organs in them.

7. These molecules of carbon in the pulmonary parenchyma seem to have a marked influence on the phenomena, which may subsequently occur in and around tuberculous deposits. When tubercles are formed in the lungs, and the carbonaceous matter is deposited in considerable quantity around them, they do not undergo the successive changes proper to phthisis, in the usual course of this disease. The tubercles become calcareous, are deprived of their fatty matter, and do not enlarge. No vessels of new formation are developed around them; or rather, if such vessels have already become enlarged before the deposition of the molecular carbon, they become obliterated in consequence of this deposit, and the progress of the phthisical disease is arrested.

8. The production of carbonaceous matter in the lungs of man,-occurring, as it does, quite independently of any trade or profession and (most probably) of

any particular sort of food-is a fact which should be studied in a pathological as well as a physiological point of view, considering the influence which it may have on the course and issue of the most frequent pulmonic diseases to which old persons are liable. It would seem also that the deposition of this matter in the parenchyma of the lungs has a tendency to arrest the progress of phthisis, by forming a wall around the tubercles, and thus separating them from the intact pulmonary tissue.-Comptes Rendus.-Revue Med. Dec. 1844.

ON THE TRANSPLANTATION OF THE CORNEA IN MAN.

M. Reisinger, in 1824, was the first who proposed to treat incurable central leucoma by substituting the clear cornea of a living animal for the (previously removed) cornea that was rendered opaque by disease. If we may quite credit his statement, he succeeded perfectly on one occasion (in a brute) by this method. Dieffenbach repeated the experiment several times; but in no case with success. Subsequently it has been tried by a good many different gentlemen, and with very various results. On some occasions the transplanted cornea has speedily mortified and fallen off, while in others it has more or less completely united, but shortly afterwards lost its transparency. In a few instances (it has been asserted) not only has this union taken place, but the transplanted cornea has remained perfectly clear.

M. Feldmann, in his recent critical examination of this question, is strongly inclined to doubt whether the operation has ever fairly succeeded; for, in all his experiments the transplanted cornea has uniformly become not only opaque, but more or less irregular on its surface. It has only been within the last few years that an attempt has been made on the human subject to cure staphyloma in this way. Professor Wutzer of Bonn, and Dr. Kissam of New York, seem to have performed the operation about the same time, and without either gentleman being aware of what the other was doing. The former made use of the cornea of a living sheep to replace the diseased cornea that was excised. The transplantation, we are told, succeeded; but the cornea subsequently became quite opaque in consequence of the ophthalmia that ensued. The Professor repeated the operation on another patient, but with no better ultimate success.

The account of Dr. Kissam's case will be found in the New York Journal of Medicine for March, 1844. He made use of the cornea of a pig's eye, securing it in its new position with two ligatures placed in the direction of the palpebral commissures. For thirty-six hours after the operation, there was great chemosis of the eye-ball, so that it was difficult to ascertain the state of the parts. It was then found that the new cornea was adhering; the ligatures were therefore removed. The vision was improved immediately after the operation; but, as the humours of the eye were themselves unhealthy, it was very imperfect. The replaced cornea retained its transparency for a fortnight; then it became opaque, and ultimately it was absorbed.-Journal de Chirurgie, Sept. 1844.

N.B. There is an elaborate historical account of this operation in the Archives Generales de Medecine for May last.

HYDROCELE OF THE NECK.

The tumours of the neck, which M. Maunoir has designated Hydroceles, and M. Percy Hydrobronchoceles, have often been confounded with genuine Goitre; and