The nature of the giant-cells of tubercle and the elements associated therewith : as seen in comparative pathology / by Walter K. Sibley.

  • Sibley, Walter Knowsley, 1862-
Date:
[1890]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The nature of the giant-cells of tubercle and the elements associated therewith : as seen in comparative pathology / by Walter K. Sibley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    chains of tubercular deposits were found in close relation to the upper regions of the aorta which were undoubtedly in the lymphatic vessels. Also in the viscera the deposits were encap- suled as if by a vessel wall. Again, the structure of these deposits in the viscera was exactly the same as that of the thrombosed lymphatic vessel by the aorta. So that in these examples there occurred a thrombosis and nodular deposit in the main and in the smaller lymphatic vessels in various regions of the body. So also in Birds, often the deposits were distinctly observed in the 13'mphatics; for instance, in a swan examined there was complete tubercular thrombosis of a large number of the abdominal lymphatics, not only those in relation to the great vessels, the vena cava and mesenteric, but also in the lym- phatic channels lying in relation to the abdominal air-sacs; the diseased vessels forming irregularly beaded, cord-like structures on the surface of the same. In examining sections of the intestine of an Owl (figs. 1 and 4) under the microscope, where the whole wall of the gut was much increased in thickness, as occurs about the seat of tubercular lesions, it was found that in the earlier stages, that is, previous to caseous degeneration, the increase of tissue consisted almost entirely of groups and columns of epithelioid cells full of tubercle bacilli, in the substance of the mucous membrane, and often extending through the muscular into the serous coats. Thus small tumour-like formations were seen especially marked in the submucous tissues, the cells of which were arranged, some in columns and some in more or less rounded groups; and from these groups and columns similar cells were seen piercing the outer walls of the intestine, often at right angles to the long axis of the gut. In examining more minutely these epithelioid cells, they were seen to be undoubtedly lying in vessels, and in fact were the proliferated endothelium of the same. Groups of the same nature occurred in the viscera, such as the liver and spleen, often very abundantly; in section usually more or less round, occasionally oval or elongated, sometimes angular, and often clearly in vessels. The same appearances were found in a great number of birds, and were usually more