Researches on phthisis, anatomical, pathological and therapeutical.

  • Louis, P. C. A. (Pierre Charles Alexandre), 1787-1872.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches on phthisis, anatomical, pathological and therapeutical. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    the facts observed by me before 1825, or to hesitate regarding them as demonstrated general truths. The only alterations made in the present edition refer to the order in which some of the symptoms are considered. But I have made considerable additions of two different kinds: some to corroborate the general statements made in the former edition; others relative to points which had either not been considered at all or too briefly examined. I have made the additions of the first kind, because I did not conceive it right to confine myself to the simple statement that I had verified such and such a general fact by additional obser- vations. Whenever I have been able to do this, I have stated the number of new cases collected, and the conclusions naturally viscid grumous particles of small size collected in pairs. The elements of concrete pus never resemble those of tubercle. Tubercle does not differ less from cancer than from pus, even in cases where the naked eye can only discover points of resemblance between them. The main elements of cancer are fibres and globules. The latter, varying in different species of cancer, are larger than tuberculous corpuscles, have non-angular outlines, almost all contain nuclei, and frequently present a true system of encasement within each other. Their diameter varies from fa to 8'0 of a line [B(j to jjj of a millimeter], and in some cases is still greater than this. Tuberculous corpuscles never attain to the minimum even of these dimensions.—Scirr/iits presents a fibrous, dense, irregular or retiform stroma, containing within its meshes round or slightly oval globules, reaching a diameter of -fa of a line [^, of a millimeter] and generally containing a round, oval, or irregularly- shaped nucleus. They are flattened, but slightly spherical, and many of the nuclei are free and without involuerum. The globules sometimes elongate, become fusiform, and present a shape holding a middle place between globules and fibres.—The globules of alveolar cancer differ still more from tuberculous corpuscles. Their diameter varies between T'a and fa of a line [^ and 5], of a millimeter]; they contain a nucleus of from 3J5 t0 ih °f a une [lira *° t5s °f a millimeter] in diameter, in the interior of wliich are granules. They are flattened and minutely dotted over the surface. In this species of cancer are also found globules reaching ^ of a line [,'g of a millimeter] in diameter, composed of globules, encased concentrically within each other.—The globules of encephahid cancer exhibit no less marked differences; their diameter varies from Bjjjto B55 of a line [jj^to fa of a millimeter]; they contain one or two, rarely three, little nuclei, varying from fa to fa of a line [fa to fa of a millimeter], generally placed at the periphery and of round or oval shape; their colour is pale, their surface homogeneous. The outlines of the nuclei are clearly defined. Some globules are provided with an involuerum, and appear to be contained within a larger globule, the diameter of which then reaches fa of a line [5^ of a millimeter]. Thus, says Dr. Lebert, tubercles contain elements which are discovered in no other morbid product; and whenever examination with the naked eye leaves a doubt as to the tuberculous, purulent, or cancerous nature of any given substance, the microscope will easily settle the point.