On the origin, structure, and mode of development of the cystic tumours of the ovary / by Wilson Fox, M.D.

  • Fox, Wilson, 1831-1887.
Date:
[1864]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the origin, structure, and mode of development of the cystic tumours of the ovary / by Wilson Fox, 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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    Botli these authorities agree in attributing a different origin to the colloid or cystoid disease of the ovary to that in which the single or multiple cysts tal^e their rise. Virchow, being struck with the prismatic or columnar appearance assumed by the colloid matter in the interior of these cysts, the columns being bounded by lines of fattily degenerated cells, attributes their formation to an alveolar origin, the lines of fattily degenerated cells representing the walls of alveoli, the other structures of which have wasted in consequence of the gradually increasing pressure of the colloid matter {vide fig. 1, 1. c). He says that spaces lined by epithelial cells are continually appearing in the stroma or walls of the cyst, and that the cells lining them may be seen in all stages of colloid change; but he expresses his inability to account for their mode of origin (p. 201, 1. c). He further explains the more fluid contents of some of these cysts as due to the further softening of the colloid matter thus formed. Professor Forster gives a further account of the mode of origin of this process, of which I venture here to give a short summary, as I shall have hereafter to allude specially to his views; and it will, I think, be productive of less confusion if I introduce them in this place. He says that the cysts proceed from cells and nuclei of new formation in the stroma of the ovary, and independently of the Graafian follicles, which latter are destroyed during the formation of the cysts. The neoplasm begins with an hypertrophy of the stroma of the ovary and a new forma- tion of connective tissue, accompanied with a growth of cells and masses of cells in an embryonic connective tissue; while the latter is developed into a mature connective tissue, the cells and masses of cells become enlarged, and undergo a colloid transformation, the outer layers of these become epithelial cells, and the compressed layers of the connective tissue.of the stroma represent the fibrous wall of the small cysts. These views, both of Professor Virchow and also of Pro- fessor Forster, are undoubtedly minute and accurate descrip-