On diseases of the rectum and anus / by Harrison Cripps.

  • William Harrison Cripps
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On diseases of the rectum and anus / by Harrison Cripps. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    87/704 (page 15)
    instant of removal, placed in weak chromic acid solution, being subsequently transferred to spirit and dyed with logwood in the usual manner. It would seem, therefore, that the exceptional clearness of the specimen was possibly due to its rapid transfer to the hardening fluid. In this specimen the nucleus-like bodies towards the base of the cylindrical epithelial cells forming the surface of the hypertrophied mucous membrane are remarkably clearly defined owing to the intensity with which they have taken the staining. In the sub-epithelial retiform tissue 'TP a considerable number of lymphoid cells are similarly darklv stained. In form, size, and the extent to which they have taken the dye, there is no perceptible difference between the bodies (nuclei ?) within the epithelial cells and the bodies (leucocytes ?) within the retiform tissue. It is scarcely possible not to believe but that they are identical the one with the other. The difference of situa¬ tion alone remains, and even this in portions is no longer noticeable, for here and there the bodies can be seen so close upon the boundary line between the epithelial and the retiform tissue that it would not be possible positively to state whether the body should still be regarded as a nucleus within the epithelium or as a lymphoid cell in the retiform tissue. In other specimens suggestive appearances may be seen as to the identity of leucocytes and epithelial cells ; if, for instance, the apex of a growing epithelial bud, such as can be seen in Plate VII., be examined, the young cells which first appear have no visible features by which they can be distinguished from the leucocytes or granulating tissue. This gradual conversion of the lymphoid into the epithelial type can also be well studied when these morbid growths are extending into adipose tissue. Plate XI. is a section of some fatty tissue lying external to the rectal wall, into which the new growth is gradually penetrating. In some portions of the specimen the fat cells are normal; in others they are completely replaced by the growth.