Muck

“ In chronic inflammation of the rectum and colon there is more or less discharge of mucous, and in some cases of membranous, desquamation, with yellow or bloody mucus. The shreds, cords or complete tubular casts are discharged constantly or at varying intervals. The quantity and character often alarm the sufferer. The discharge is nothing less than a thick, tenacious mucus that had formed a thin coating on the inflamed mucous membrane, and become exfoliated in casts or thin shreds—the result of many years of morbid intestinal exaggerated action. ”

“ The skin itself may be described as the soft and elastic tissue which invests the whole of the surface of the body, and consists of two layers, the outer or scarf skin, and the deeper or true skin. The interior of the body is likewise lined with a covering, which is termed mucous membrane, from the fact that from its surface, or from certain special glands within it, or from both, there is constantly being secreted a thin semi-transparent fluid called mucus. ”

“ Such feelings are at their height during an acute mucus storm, which is an indication of increased inflammation in all the inflamed tissues, causing secretion of a great quantity of mucus or membranous casts. No doubt much of the inflammatory exudate from the mucous membrane, from the muscular structure of the organs, and the connective tissue surrounding and supporting the organs, passes into the sigmoidal and rectal canals, while a portion is absorbed into the system. ”

“ All mechanical obstructions to the free transit of blood through the heart, lungs, or liver are followed by the same results. A free secretion of mucus into the stomach is one of the most commonly recognized. It is often vomited in large quantities. This alkaline mucus, while it dilutes the digestive juices of the stomach, furnishes favorable conditions for the development of low micro-organisms, which contribute to the fermentative process. We may not duly estimate the effects of these organisms on a mucous membrane softened by long-continued passive hyperæmia. ”

“ Mucus, mū′kus, n. the slimy fluid from the nose: the viscous fluid secreted by the mucous membrane of animals.—adjs. Mūcif′erous; Mūcif′ic; Mū′ciform.—n. Mū′cigen, a substance secreted by the cells of mucous membrane, converted into mucin.—adjs. Mūcig′enous, Mūcip′arous, secreting mucus.—n. Mū′cilage, the solution of a gum in water: the gum extracted from plants.—adj. Mucilag′inous, pertaining to, or secreting, mucilage: slimy.—n. Mū′cin, an alkaline glutinous fluid forming the chief constituent of mucus.—adjs. Mūciv′orous, feeding on the juices of plants ”

“ The mucous membrane in the chronic state of the disease presents a rather dry, indolent and bluish appearance, except that here and there the tissues show more activity of the disease, more especially so over the anal region, due to harsher disturbance during the act of stooling. In the subacute or acute stage of the inflammatory process there is more general redness and puffiness of the mucous membrane, or a swollen condition with increased discharge of mucus and perhaps some blood. ”

“ In this disease there appears to be a deficient absorption of the subcutaneous mucus, as well as inflammation and increased secretion of it. For the fluid not only excoriates the parts in its vicinity by its acrimony, but is very saline to the taste, as some of these patients have assured me; I believe this kind of eruption, as well as the tinea, and perhaps all other cutaneous eruption, is liable to be inoculated in other parts of the body by the finger-nails of the patients in scratching themselves.
It is liable to affect the hands, and to return at distant periods ”

“ We find the mucus which has remained in the nostrils for some time to be of a dark colour, and if we examine it with a microscope, we find, that this is owing to the presence of small particles of dust or other foreign substances, which the air may have accidentally contained. ”

“ In chronic catarrh—a frequent concomitant of a tubercular diathesis—the obstruction of the nasal ducts by accumulated mucus yields in a day or two to any exercise that brings into play the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and chest, such as shouldering a good-sized log, walking bolt-upright with two large pails full of water, or a loaded wheelbarrow. ”

“ Secretion of the Lungs.—Like the lips and mouth, the lungs are invested on their free inner surface by a delicate mucous membrane, which constantly secretes a clear viscous fluid, the mucus. The lungs, therefore, like the nose, are always moist, and just as the nose is cleared by blowing it, so the lungs are cleared by hawking or coughing. A sense of discomfort or a feeling of irritation of the windpipe induces a deep inspiration, followed by an explosive expiration, which quickly brings up the mucus, so that it can be expectorated. ”

“ The first of these functions is to defend the mucous membranes from the impressions of the bodies with which they are in contact, and which, as we have ob [40] served, are all heterogeneous to the animal. Here, without doubt, we see the reason why the mucous fluids are more abundant in the cavities where these bodies remain for some time, as in the bladder, at the extremity of the rectum, &c., than in those organs through which they merely pass, as in the ureters, and in general in all the excretory ducts. ”

“ The tortuous passage of the nose thus tends in the first place to equalize in some measure the temperature of the atmosphere inhaled with that of the lungs; and, in the second place, the mucus which is secreted by the Schneiderian membrane, being of a tenacious nature.
tends to attract and ensnare the impurities which the air may contain. We thus see that the nostrils act as a filter to the air taken in by inhalation. If we observe any mucous surface, we can not help remarking its deep-red color, this being due to the close network of blood-vessels ramifying on its surface. ”

“ When all the internal functions are in activity, the mucous surfaces experience no more sudden changes, analogous to that of which I have spoken. They grow like the other viscera in a slow and insensible manner; they preserve for a long time their original softness, which is remarkable, especially in the nose, the stomach, &c. and which during lactation, is not adapted in the infant, to the solid substances with which the adult is nourished. ”

“ That this mucaginous matter differs greatly from the ichorous or watery part of the blood, which, as if colder than the rest, subsides to the bottom of the basin, appears on two distinct grounds: for the watery and sanious portion is too crude and unconcocted ever to pass into purer and more perfect blood; and the thicker and more fibrous mucus swimming above the clot of the blood itself appears more concoct and better elaborated than this; and so in the resolution or separation of the blood it comes that the mucus occupies the upper place, the sanies the lower ”

“ Of the effusion of mucus and lymph from natural causes.—The abundant secretion of tough mucus in the stomach is a sign of that organ having been irritated. But the effusion of lymph is more characteristic. This may be produced by natural inflammation as well as by irritating poisons. As arising from either cause, however, it is rare; and certainly by no means so common as would be supposed from what is said in systematic works; for tough mucus has been often mistaken for it. ”

“ In the years which succeed youth, the mucous system continues to grow, thicken and become firmer. Its vital energy seems still to predominate for some time, in the superior surfaces, as in the pituitary, the membrane of the bronchia, &c.; thus the affections of these parts are more frequent until the thirtieth year. But as we advance in age, the abdominal mucous surfaces appear to predominate over the others, as in general all the organs of this region do. ”

“ There is no animal contractility in the mucous system.
Properties of Organic Life.
Organic sensibility and insensible contractility are very evident in the mucous system. They are constantly put in action in it by four different causes; 1st, by the nutrition of this system; 2d, by the absorption that takes place in it, either naturally or accidentally; 3d, by its exhalation; 4th, by the constant secretion of its glands. These two properties are the original causes of all these functions, the increase and diminution of which are truly the indices of the state of these glands. ”

“ The changes are less marked, perhaps, in the trachea than in its finer ramifications. The mucosa is constantly more or less destroyed and large areas, usually focal, are entirely devoid of their epithelial covering. This is replaced by a sparse exudate, composed largely of red blood cells, mucus, a small amount of fibrin, and nuclear fragments (Fig. II) . It may dip into the submucosa for a short distance, but usually these indentures are associated with the ducts of the mucous glands into which the inflammatory reaction extends. ”

“ The intestinal contents consist usually of tenacious, slimy mucus intermingled with thick green fecal matter; fæcal matter may be absent, and merely blood-stained mucus resembling frog's spawn, or, on the other hand, solid fæces, may be found. Intestinal adhesions may occur, but perforation is extremely rare. The microscopic pathology varies with the severity of the lesions. In the gangrenous form the epithelial cells of the mucous layer can no longer be distinguished, the whole of the mucous membrane undergoing coagulation necrosis with destruction of the glandular elements. ”

“ Germs which have penetrated into the nose are rapidly ejected by the action of the ciliated epithelium. "The nasal mucus is an unsuitable soil for the growth of organisms, and hence is an important factor in that it does not further their multiplication. ”

“ I distribute the sympathies of mucous membranes, like those of most of the other organs, into three general classes. In the first class are ranked the sympathies in which irritation, on one part of the mucous surface, produces a sensation in a distant part. A stone in the bladder occasions pain at the end of glans; worms in the intestines excite an itching at the nose. ”

“ In the treatment of pathological nasal conditions, all cases of obstruction from whatsoever cause are best in a dry atmosphere, and where there is atrophy and a deficient flow of mucus in a moist atmosphere. If the mucous membrane is irritable a dry sheltered spot on a sandy soil and in the neighbourhood of pine trees is by far the best. ”

“ When an inflammation has lasted for such a length of time that it has become chronic, a new tissue will sooner or later be produced in varying amount; and this newly formed fibrous connective tissue may entirely replace previous normal structures. Through the exudation and consequent changes in the normal tissue a large amount of mucus is at first secreted, but this secretion becomes less and less marked the more the inflammation causes a desquamation of the epithelia. ”

“ The mucosa, m, consists of fairly long glands underlaid by a well-marked muscularis mucosa, mm, the latter exhibiting a compact circular layer over a wider but more scattered layer of longitudinal fibers. A considerable amount of fibrous connective tissue lies among the muscle fibers. The circular layer of the muscularis mucosa sends towards the surface numerous strands or septa between the glands; six or eight of these are seen in the figure. These strands are not nearly so numerous in the large region of the stomach. ”

“ Glue or mucilage containing glycerine (in the proportion of one or two teaspoonfuls to an ordinary bottle of mucilage) is the best thing to use for sticking on the backs. While the slides are drying they should be either under a weight or in a clamp screwed up tightly, so as to prevent their twisting out of shape. The mucilage may be prevented from being squeezed in round the edges of the hole, by taking care when putting it on not to have it come too near the hole. ”

“ Microscopically the bronchi show hyperaemia of the mucous and sub mucous coats, and the whole wall becomes infiltrated with polymorphonuclear leukocytes and round cells- Many cells undergo mucoid degeneration, and there is abundant epithelial proliferation. A large quantity of mucus is secreted by the glands, and the lumen of the bronchi contains an exudate consisting of mucus, degenerated leukocytes and cast-off epithelial cells. ”

“ Bacteria gain admission to the living tissues under natural conditions, by penetrating any of the mucous membranes which they can reach, or by entering open wounds. It may be said in general that an intact epidermis is almost a complete protection against infection, and that an intact mucous membrane is a good protection. ”

“ Every mucous membrane exhibits two surfaces, one adhering to the neighbouring organs, the other free, covered with villi, always moistened with a mucous fluid. Each deserves particular attention.
The adhering surface corresponds almost everywhere with the muscles, either of animal or organic life. The mouth, the pharynx, the whole alimentary canal, the bladder, the vagina, the womb, a portion of the urethra, &c. exhibit a muscular layer embracing on the outside their mucous tunic which is within. ”