Pathological and histological researches on inflammation of the nervous centres / by John Hughes Bennett.

  • Bennett, John Hughes, 1812-1875.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Pathological and histological researches on inflammation of the nervous centres / by John Hughes Bennett. 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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    24th, Less contraction of the arm ; countenance more intelligent ; tries to put out his tongue when asked. 28th, Still speechless ; contraction of the arm has ceased ; appears drowsy. 30th, Insensi- bility more profound. September 1st, Stools passed in bed ; rigors this morning. 2d, Takes no food ; rigidity of extremities. Died September 3d. Sectio, September 4th.—On opening the cranium the membranes presented nothing abnormal. About the middle of the left hemi- spheres a circumscribed portion of the cerebral substance below the membranes appeared of a reddish hue. On cutting through this portion into the substance of the hemisphere, the medullary sub- stance, together with the external portion of the left corpus striatum, was found softened to about the extent of a small hen's egg. The softening gradually extended towards the reddish portion on the surface previously noticed. The centre of the softened part, about the size of an almond, was of pultaceous consistence, and from this centre the cerebral substance grew more and more firm, until it at- tained its normal character. This centre also was of a dirty yel- low, and the softened part surrounding it of a bright rose colour, gss. of serum was collected,from the ventricles by means of a pipette. Walls of the ventricles and other portions of brain healthy ; other organs in a normal state Microscopic Examination The medullary matter towards the circumference of the softened portion was first examined. The va- ricose and cylindrical tubes of the brain were readily separated from each other and broken down ; mixed with them and their debris were numerous granular bodies, considerably varying in shape and size. Some were perfectly round, others oval, and others again of irregular form, having one or more sides, and irregular indentations. In size they varied from j^g to ^-^ of a millimetre in diameter. Some of these bodies possessed an envelope in which the granules were enclosed, in others no envelope could be observed. In the former the edge of the corpuscle was abrupt, regular, and well-defined ; in the latter ragged, irregular, and confused. They were generally of a brown- ish colour, some light, but others so dark as to appear almost black, and so opaque as to obstruct the passage of light. I could not in this instance detect any distinct nucleus in these bodies. There were also a number of granules Hoating loose amongst the tubes, similar to those contained in the corpuscles just described. These varied in size from ^ij, to of a millimetre in diameter. When viewed thus isolated they appeared perfectly round and transparent, presenting a bright white central spot, with a black, abrupt, and well-defined edge. See Plate V. Fig. 1. On examining a portion of the softened substance still nearer the centre, the same appearances were observed. The loose floating granules, however, appeared more numerous. In the yellow pul- taceous centre itself the nervous tubes appeared utterly destroyed. Nothing could be seen of them but short fragments, and round'and oval globules bounded by a distinct double line. They were highly elastic, and appeared to be separated varicose swollings of the tubes.