I.

REPORT ON ANATOMY.

BY T. F. ALLEN, M.D., NEW YORK.

IN presenting a report on Anatomy, it seems proper to preface a few words concerning its scope, and methods of study.

Anatomy, in its broadest sense, is, as we know, a most extensive science, embracing the study of the whole animal kingdom, past as well as present. To the whole of this immense range, neither the student nor practitioner of medicine can be expected to pay attention; yet the study of comparative anatomy in a general way is of the greatest importance to the scientific medical man, inasmuch as it affords the key to many of the mysteries of the human frame. It explains the meaning of parts and their relations, and teaches most instructive lessons in regard to the grand laws of development.

More of purely scientific animus is the great need of our school. Everything that helps to remove disease and relieve suf fering is humane and practical, and should be eagerly sought; but the physician should love science for its own sake. He should study Nature, her laws and her eccentricities; his rides should be pleasure trips; in the flowers he should see beaming faces of friends. Let him take pleasure in the geology of his region, and study its influence on animal and vegetable life. In short, a physician should be a naturalist, and the study of natural science is as much a recreation as are games, or light literature. Not only must broad and comprehensive study be pursued,

but that of the minute structure of life- especially of the human organism— must be undertaken. To this end, books and microscope should be obtained and used. Every physician, without exception, should possess and use a microscope. The examination of his patients demands its use. To be able to utilize this instrument understandingly in disease, one must be fully acquainted with the microscopic appearance of healthy tissue so it comes about that the study of minute anatomy must be as thoroughly and closely taught as the special, descriptive, and topographical branches.

The student must at the outset become thoroughly acquainted, not with bones only, but with the general plan of the animal kingdom, the elementary composition of tissues and their ultimate structure. This study of parts of animals belongs as much to the bureau or chair of anatomy as does the description of the bones themselves. Physiology has, by courtesy, embraced the study of minute anatomy, but only that a clearer statement of the use and office of organs may be made after the elucidation of their minute structure. We concede that anatomy should precede physiology; and to works on physiology may be assigned the duty of giving the minute anatomy of the organ of which it explains the office; still general histology, or microscopical anatomy, properly belongs to anatomy. This science has assumed such bulk of late that it seems almost necessary to create special chairs for its prosecution; at least, no small proportion of a course of lectures should be devoted to this branch. Even during the past year, no little progress has been made in this section.

Kölliker has issued the second part of the fifth edition of his Handbook of Histology, embracing much that is new. Besides this, there is a large number of monographs, and other works upon methods of investigating, with theories upon the development of tissues.

Spontnaeous development is, for the present, quite dead;

omnis cellula e cellula is now the law: but some exceedingly interesting observations have been made upon the movements of cells, especially of free cells. It is asserted, apparently upon good authority, that the walls of the capillaries do not suffice to confine the blood-corpuscles; that the white and even the red also have been seen to writhe and wriggle themselves through and get out. Hence certain speculations on the origin of pus-corpuscles, which, to my mind, are by no means satisfactory.

It is appropriate to refer here to the accepted and practical division of histology. The four grand divisions of tissues consist of cellular and fibrous elements, compact and compound tissues.

The first division (cellular elements), comprises two sections: cells in fluid blastema, and in fixed blastema. In the fluid blastema are found cells of blood, chyle, lymph, mucus, milk, colostrum, and serum; in the fixed blastema are ephithelium and pigment.

The second division (tissues with fibrous elements) consists of connective tissues, lens, muscle (smooth and striated), and nerve tissue.

The third division (compact tissues) consist of cartilage, bone, and dental tissues.

The fourth division (compound tissues) consists of vessels, glands, skin, and hair.

To my mind, a division partly on the basis of Virchow's theories is very simple and practical for explanation. Of the two divisions, the first would include all tissues essentially cellular composed of aggregated cells. These tissues are allied closely to those of the vegetable kingdom. Examples of this tissue — rarely composing organs in the human frame-are found in the umbilical cord, and in mucous layers of cells covering membranes, etc.

The second division of tissues would include those with in§ VII. — 1*