Abstract
An analysis, by microincineration, of the distribution of inorganic salts in anterior horn cells following temporary vascular occlusion of the spinal cord (Tureen 1 brought forward the necessity of examining the post-mortem changes in these elements in similar tissues. It seemed to be especially advisable also because of recent reports on the ash distribution in human nerve cells in various pathological conditions.
Tissues were removed from etherized and bled cats at intervals ranging from 5 minutes to 27 hours. One series of animals was permitted to remain at room temperature; a second series of animals was kept in the ice box at 60° F. for similar periods. Sectioning and incineration were carried out as suggested by Scott. 2 Alternate sections of the series were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as controls. The incinerated sections were studied by dark field illumination.
The findings will be related briefly in two parts, the first of which is the appearance of incinerated anterior horn cells after immediate fixation. The results are in general in accord with those for similar types of material described by Scott 3 and by Patton. 4 , 5 The first consideration is to establish a “normal” picture—a task admittedly difficult since there is considerable variation in the appearance of the anterior horn cells even under optimum conditions. In general the ash residue of the well-fixed anterior horn cell is uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. This mineral is in small deposits approximately 1 to 2 microns in diameter. It is in this cytoplasmic ash that the greatest variation occurs. In some cases, for example, the remains of the Nissl substance are clearly discernible, in others not. It is as yet impossible to assign this variation to a definite physiological state of the cell.
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