Researches into the structure and physiology of the kidney / by C.E. Isaacs.

  • Charles Edward Isaacs
Date:
[1856?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches into the structure and physiology of the kidney / by C.E. Isaacs. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    burst, when the tubes are found to contain merely nuclei and granular matter. In examining the epithelium, it is therefore very important to obtain the kidney in as fresli condition as possible, and instead of water, to use a solution of albumen in water or urine. The acids dissolve the wall of the cells, leav- ing only the nuclei and granules ; the nuclei finally disappear. By the action of caustic alkalies, everything in the cell is dissolved except the granules. According to some very high authorities, the tubes of the cortical portion of the kidney are lined by the spheroidal or glandular epithelium. See Mr. Bowman's paper; also G. Johnson, on Diseases of the Kidney, pages 33 and 56. But in plates ~No. 1 and 2, it is shown that the uriniferous tubes are lined by the pavement or tesselated epithelium; and I find that, on this point, I am supported by Hassal, who says: The epithe- lium of the tubes of the cortical part of the kidney, save within a short distance of their junction with the Malpighian dilata- tions, is composed of large and angular scales or cells, which are coarsely granular, and which form a regular layer of pavement epithelium, lining the tubes, &c.—Micros. Anat., p. 444. Kol- liker says, The tubuli uriniferi are every where composed of the same elements, viz., a membrana propria, and a tesselated epithelium. He also remarks, a single layer of polygonal, moderately thick cells, surrounds the cavity of the tubulus, &c. —Micros. Anat, p. 599. I believe that the description which is given in this paper will always be verified by actual observation of specimens of the kidney, provided they are in a perfectly fresh and healthy condition. It is, however, extremely difficult to meet with specimens of the kidney which are sufficiently so to exhibit the perfectly normal epithelium, and I therefore made every exer- tion to obtain the organs in a satisfactory condition, for this purpose. I am well aware that we often see the tubes contain- ing rounded, and irregularly rounded, epithelium, «as described by authors; but I believe that when this appearance is seen, the kidney is either not fresh, or is in a pathological condi- tion, or that the epithelium has been changed by the mode of examination. Kolliker says: By the usual method of exami-
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