On the detection of lung-tissue in the expectoration of persons affected with phthisis / by Samuel Fenwick, M.D.

  • Fenwick, Samuel, 1821-1902.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the detection of lung-tissue in the expectoration of persons affected with phthisis / by Samuel Fenwick, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    the thickness of an ordinary visiting-card^ and should be fixed to glass slides with cements capable of resisting the action of alkaline solutions. If deeper cells are used there- is a great probability that many of the fragments of lung- tissue may be overlooked; I generally use a microscope fitted with a double arm, carrying an inch-and-a-half and a half-inch object-glass, with the tube drawn out to its fullest extent, and having a No. 2 eye-piece. The intention of this arrangement is, of course, to obtain as large a field as possible, conjoined with sufficient magnifying power. The chief precaution to be observed is perfect cleanliness of all the apparatus, for the elastic fibre clings firmly to glass. The dipping-tube should be therefore always both brushed out and washed after each examination, or a fresh one should be used on the next occasion. There is no difficulty in distinguishing the elastic tissue of the lung from other matters that may exist in the expectoration. It is often found, clinging to filaments of hair, silk, &c., but in all cases the fineness of the fibres, their regularity and dichotomous division, render detection certain and easy. The accompanying drawings of the elastic tissue of the lungs, after being boiled in solution of soda, will, perhaps, be useful to those not accustomed to the examination of expec- toration in cases of phthisis.