A manual of pathological histology / by V. Cornil and L. Ranvier ; translated, with notes and additions, by E.O. Shakespeare and J. Henry C. Simes.

  • Cornil, V. (Victor), 1837-1908.
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A manual of pathological histology / by V. Cornil and L. Ranvier ; translated, with notes and additions, by E.O. Shakespeare and J. Henry C. Simes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    760/808 (page 740)
    pearecl. The bottom of the ulcer is formed of a disintegrating layer varying in depth, in which no detail of structure can be found. In the neighborhood of the ulcer the arteries show a chronic inflammation, and their calibre is contracted. The changes in the epidermis covering the enlarged papillae, consist in a thickening, at times enormous, frequently reaching several millimetres. The corneous cells are superimposed in thick layers, forming successive beds intimately united together. The nuclei of the cells in the rete mu- cosum, are not atrophied in the neighborhood of the ulcer; consequently desquamation does not occur. As examples of cutaneous trophic disturbances, in which the influence of the nervous system has been evidently recognized, we cite the bullae of zoster and pemphigus, in the neighborhood of which there is usually seen an inflammation of the nerves or rather an inflammation of the nerve sheath, or of the inter-fascicular connective tissue (Charcot, Barengspung). Finally in some cutaneous lesions of leprosy Steudner has found lesions of the nerve fibres, more or less Avell determined. b. Dystrophic Alterations of the Epidermis, and Analogous Epi- dermic Products.—The type of these alterations is found in the cachectic ichthyosis which occurs upon the surface of paralyzed limbs, and in con- genital ichthyosis which is a true deformity of the skin. In intyriasic ichthyosis, characterized by soft scales, there are found only the signs of rapid evolution of the cells of the rete mucosum. The nucleoli are enlarged, and the nuclei of many of the cells are atrophied; the cells are no longer closely united together, and they die before the epidermis acquires its normal firmness. From this process there results a constant desquamation. Corneous ichthyosis is characterized by a superabundant formation of the epidermis, in spots. It presents a variety, ichthyosis pilaris, incor- rectly termed pityriasis of the hairs. In this variety of ichthyosis the corneous epidermic layers are continually produced by the internal sheath of the hair follicle, and accumulate around its shaft in an imbricated man- ner. The hair follicle is soon stuffed with the corneous cone which surrounds trie shaft, and the hair breaks off at the point of emergence. When the epidermis continues to accumulate,the small peri-pilar corneous mass exca- vates a cavity in the superficial portion of the derma; the skin now has a granular appearance. After a time, the hair and the corneous mass are thrown off, but the location of the intradermic cavity is marked upon the skin by a small variola-like cicatrix. c. Abnormal Colorations of the Skin.—The abnormal colorations of the skin are numerous. The coloring matter of bile uniformly tinges all the histological elements of the tissues. In the skin it acts as an irritant, and usually occasions small congestive inflammatory points, and minute pruriginous papules. Frequently purpuric spots are also seen; they are due to the solvent action of the bile upon the corpuscles of the blood. Histologically, icteric purpura does not differ from any other interstitial hemorrhage of the skin. The cause of the icteroid staining in cachexias (tuberculous, saturnine)