Observations upon neoplasms in wild animals in the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens

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OBSERVATIONS UPON NEOPLASMS IN WILD ANIMALS IN THE PHILADELPHIA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.l By HERBERT Fox, M.D., Pathologist, Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Philadelphia Zoological (3ociety. THE pathological division of the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens has just passed its tenth anniversary. It has been the practice of the laboratory to submit all animals except reptiles to a post-mortem examination, including whatever special work was necessary to enhance the value of the findings for hygienic control or scientific record. Somewhat over two years ago the former pathologist, Dr. C. Y. White, and I, reported before the Philadelphia Pathological aociety the then existing records of tumours as found in this laboratory. The present paper covers the records of autopsies during the first decade of the laboratory’s existence. I do not offer the material ae con- clusive, but aa the first systematic presentation of the subject, drawn from a sufficient number of autopsies to show what turnours have been observed, and in what zoological orders tumours have and have not occurred. Bland Sutton (18863) mentions but two tumours, and Harlow Brooks (1907 1) found only one in 744 autopsies. These authors, especially the latter, believe that neoplasms are exceedingly rare in wild animals, but more recently evidence has been accumulated to indicate that neoplasms are relatively not uncommon in wild animals. Brooks further believes that tumours will be found more commonly in animals whose mode of life simulates that under which urban man lives, and that artificial conditions and racial degeneracy will favour their development. During the last eight years the pathologists of the London Zoologid Society, Dm Seligmann and Plimmer, have recorded in their yearly reports twenty-five new growths, but it is not possible from their publications to estimate accurately the percentage of tumour-bearing animals to the whole number of specimens coming to autopsy. Averaging their yearly autopsies at about 1400, there have probably been 11,000 animals examined, showing something over 0.2 per cent. of tumours. Received April 8, 1912. Proc. Path. Soc. Bila., February 1910.

Transcript of Observations upon neoplasms in wild animals in the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens

Page 1: Observations upon neoplasms in wild animals in the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens

OBSERVATIONS UPON NEOPLASMS IN WILD ANIMALS IN THE PHILADELPHIA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.l

By HERBERT Fox, M.D., Pathologist, Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Philadelphia Zoological (3ociety.

THE pathological division of the Philadelphia Zoological Gardens has just passed its tenth anniversary. It has been the practice of the laboratory to submit all animals except reptiles to a post-mortem examination, including whatever special work was necessary to enhance the value of the findings for hygienic control or scientific record.

Somewhat over two years ago the former pathologist, Dr. C. Y. White, and I, reported before the Philadelphia Pathological aociety the then existing records of tumours as found in this laboratory. The present paper covers the records of autopsies during the first decade of the laboratory’s existence. I do not offer the material ae con- clusive, but aa the first systematic presentation of the subject, drawn from a sufficient number of autopsies to show what turnours have been observed, and in what zoological orders tumours have and have not occurred.

Bland Sutton (18863) mentions but two tumours, and Harlow Brooks (1907 1) found only one in 744 autopsies. These authors, especially the latter, believe that neoplasms are exceedingly rare in wild animals, but more recently evidence has been accumulated to indicate that neoplasms are relatively not uncommon in wild animals. Brooks further believes that tumours will be found more commonly in animals whose mode of life simulates that under which urban man lives, and that artificial conditions and racial degeneracy will favour their development.

During the last eight years the pathologists of the London Zoologid Society, Dm Seligmann and Plimmer, have recorded in their yearly reports twenty-five new growths, but it is not possible from their publications to estimate accurately the percentage of tumour-bearing animals to the whole number of specimens coming to autopsy. Averaging their yearly autopsies at about 1400, there have probably been 11,000 animals examined, showing something over 0.2 per cent. of tumours.

Received April 8, 1912. Proc. Path. Soc. Bila., February 1910.

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Blair of the New York Zoological Park reports four tumours during the last five years. Schnee in the Zoologischer Beobachter reports one tumour in a tortoke, and Dr. K. F. Meyer (Univ. Penna. Vet. School) permitq me to mention a leiomyoma of the colon in an antelope shot wild and examined by him in South Africa.

The question of degeneracy in its relation to tumour growth is one that is very difficult to answer. I have prepared a table from our records showing the time in captivity of tumour-bearing animals. When discussing our first note upon this subject Dr. Leo Loeb asked if the tendency to tumour formation with advancing age in captivity might not bear on the question of degeneracy as advanced by Dr. Brooks. Our records, however, do not permit any decided reply to this inquiry. It is interesting to note that Dr. Seligmann (1907 2,

mentions a w e of carcinoma in a Chilian pintail, “alleged to have been bred in the menagerie and to be 26 years old.” Only in the Ungulata and Carnivora is the time of captivity much in excess of the average, which for all animals in the list is six years. Unfortunately I cannot give a completed list of average ages for all orders ; but, apart from the two mentioned, the average ages of tumour- and .non-tumour-bearing specimens are about the same. This is especially true in class Aves. The longest period of captivity was eighteen years (203) and the shortest three months (892). There is no relation between the length of captivity and the kind of tumour present. There is an interesting observation, with analogues in human pathology, concerning two animals, eighteen and sixteen years in captivity, which had carcinoma of mamma and uterus respectively. I t might be mentioned in passing that the shortest average age for an order upon which we have accurate records is among the Primates. This should be borne in mind when considering that no tumours have been found in this order.

During the decade in which the records of this garden have been kept, 2533 animals have come to autopsy, among which number we have met with thirty-four true neoplasms, or 1.34 per cent. They consisted of eighteen epithelial tumours, ten sarcomata, one each of hypernephroma, fibroma, osteofibroma, osteochondroma, endothelioma, myofibroma. All animals have been autopsied except small reptiles, which die in such large numbers that it is impracticable to examine the bodies as a matter of routine. In cmes where post-mortems have been performed on these reptiles no tumours have been found.

The tables give an analysis of our records. All animals are classed as adult, a term we use to indicate completed development. I t is impossible to ascertain the exact age of all animals. It will be seen that twenty-seven nnimals were born wild, of which fourteen were males, ten were females, and in three the sex was not noted. Of the seven born in captivity four were male and three were female. Table 111. indicates the relation of breeding and sex to the kind of

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OBSER VATZONS O N NEOPLASMS ZN WILD ANIMALS. 219

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tumour found. It is noteworthy that epithelial tumours predominate, and are decidedly more common among wild-bred beasts than among captive-born (27-17 : 7-1). Sarcoma seems more common among captive-born (7-5 : 27-5). The average length of captivity of animals showing epithelial tumoure is essentially the same as that of sarcoma-bearing animals. Tables IV. and V. show respectively the seats of primary tumours and the metastases. The embryonal layers are represented as follows : Endoderm, 11 ; mesoderm, 20 ; ectoderm, 3. Tumours represented one of the principal causes of death or its only cause in nine instances.

TABLE II.--xholdng Average Years of Captivity as f a r MI known. All males. . ,, females . ,, Ungnlata . ,, Carnivora . ,, Rodentia . ,, Edentata . ,, Marsupialia ,, Passeres . ,, Picariae . ,, Psittaci . ,, Accipitres . ,, Galli . .

. . . . . 6.8 years from 16 known.

. . . . . 8 , I 11 , I

. . . . . 11 .. 5 ,,

. . . . . 6 ,, 7 ,,

. . . . . 3 ) I 3 I ,

. . . . . 10 , I 19 I ,

. . . . . 6 ,, 3 6 , , . . . . . 10 l b , ,

. . . . . 13 ,, 1 6 ,,

. . . . . 4.5 , I 7 I ,

. . . . . 4 ,, 1 9 I ,

. . . . . 4 1 , I d , ,

..

By referring to the charts it will be seen in what zoological orders tumonrs have been found. In our list none bave been observed in Primates, Lemurs, and Anseres. We have a sufficient number of autopsies upon these orders to afford a basis for comparison with Carnivora, Ungulata, Marsupialia, and Psittaci. If we take all the cases recorded in tbe literature cited, the following is the distribution according to orders : Primates, 1 ; Lemurs, 1 ; Carnivora, 7 ; Ungulata, 5 ; Marsupialia, 6 ; Rodentia, 1 ; Psittaci, 1 ; Anseres, 1 ; Accipitres, 1 ; Reptilia, 2.' This shows a similarity to our list, but includes the three orders-Primates, Lemurs, Anseres, and one class, lieptilia, among which animals we failed to find tumours. The records in literature do not permit analyses showing the duration of captivity, breeding, and the relation of tumours to animal orders. The Carnivora in our list, 241 autopsies with nine tumours, have the highest percentage. Ungulata are next in order.

In concluding I wish to emphasize, first, that thirty-four tumours appeared in 2533 post-mortems, equal to 1.34 per cent.; second, that a little over one-third of the orders in our series, representing two- thirds of the whole number of post-mortems, supplied all tumours ; third, by far the larger percentages are found among the Carnivora, Ungulata, Marsupialia, and Psittaci ; fourth, Primates, Lemurs, and

It is interesting to note that Schnee and Plimmer have observed glandular epithelial

Orders not given: Mammalia, 2 ; Birds, 2.

tumonrs in the stomachs of tortoises.

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223 HERBERT FOX.

Liver . , . . 8 Kidney . . . 3

Lung . . . . 6 Lymphnodes . . 2

Anseres presented no turnours in this garden, although we have a suficient number of autopsies on these orders to compare with the orders showing tumours ; $fth, the epithelial tumours predominate and are relatively more common among animals born wild-sarcoma, on the other hand, is more common in captive-bred animals ; &th, while tumours are observed more frequently in males than in females, more in wild-born than in captive-born animals, and while the greater number of specimens are from adult animals, it does not seem fair to draw any concluaions from these facts. It is certain that the effects of devitalizing forces of captivity and inbreeding cannot be proven from our records.

Spleen. . 2

Intestine . 1

TABLE IV.--Struckres afected by Tumours. I I I I

Lung. . . . . 4 Muscle . . . . 3 Thyroid , . . . 3 Uterus . . . . 3 Kidney . . . . 3 Boneandcartilage . . 2

Gastro-intestinal tract . 2 Liver and related structures 2 Peritoneum . . . 2 Unknown . . . 2 Brain . . . . 1 Lymphnodes . . . 1

Mamma . 1 Ovary . 1 Pancreas. 1

~ Skin . 1 Testis . 1 Pleura . 1

I I

TABLE V.-Metastases.

The author is aware that this paper does not answer an important question concerning the occurrence of neoplasms in animals when in their native habitat. We can see, however, in what orders tumours have appeared when animals are kept in captivity. The zoological garden is the only place where such statistics can be obtained, until exploring or hunting expeditions can furnish light upon the subject. Several hunters have been interrogated upon this qnestion, but no information has been gleaned.

PROTOCOLS. 28. ALPACA (Llama pma, d ).-Adeno-carcinoma of liver.-On surface of

liver are many pea-sized whitish nodules, even with the surface, and not umbilicated. On section, half of organ consists of a large round new growth, mottled, cauliflower-like, harder than the liver. It is adherent to the gall- bladder by dense bands, with an ulcerated opening, 1.5 cm. in diameter. The walls of adjacent intestines are thickened to 1.5 cm. by apparent extension of this new growth. Section shows adeno-carcinoma, but it is difficult to determine whether it arises from the liver parenchyma or bile ducts. Metastases to intestine.

89. RED KANGAROO (Macropus rufus, d 1.-Epithelionza qf gastric mucosa. -On posterior surface of fitomach and duodenum, just above and below the pylorus, is a hard, irregular, papillary new growth. Coats of tube thickened,

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and there are many adhesions to liver and coils of intestine. Liver contains several soft olive-sized nodules. Spleen shows several metastases in the form of small whitish areas. Beneath the capsule of the kidney are several small metastases. Microscopic sections show papillomatous epitheliomq extensively infiltrating the wall. There are pearly bodies in the growth on the intestinal wall.

148. MUSEY LORRIKEET (@~oesopsittacus eoncinnue l).-Adenocarcinoma of lung.-Found on microscopical examination. One small area is present in lung of very definite adenomatous change, consisting of groups of epithelium surrounded by a prominent connective-tissue framework. This may or may not be a primary tumour, but no other was found at autopsy.

168. DASYURE (Dasyums maculatus, d ).-Arleno-carcinoma of htestines. -On post-mortem there is a pale diffuse thickening of the coats of the small gut over a large area; numerous soft, light yellow, sharply circumscribed, elevated (like secondary tumours) nodules in the liver and spleen, and a pea- sized, whitish nodule around a bronchus in the right lung. Histological section of primary growth not made, but a cross-section of intestine in the vicinity shows an adenomatous change, with considerable increase in con- nective tissue. The nodules in liver, spleen, and lung, and the appearances of the abdominal lymph nodes, found microscopically, are precisely similar. They consiat of irregularly arranged epithelial nests and distorted acini, around which are sharply outlined spaces, filled with the remains of degenerated blood or a granular material.

203. BLACK BEAR ( U r m americaizus, 0 ).-Carcinoma of mamma.-Right mammary gland shows a pale ulcerating area, 10 x 15 cms., covered with a small amount of pus. It is harder than normal, and is the seat of an infiltrating growth. Histological preparation presents a typical medullary cancer with mucoid degeneration. The metastases in the lungs are the same as the primary growth.

325. Co~sac Fox (Canis msac, d).-Adenonua of pancreatic duct&- Found on histological section. There are several areas in one section of the pancreas where, surrounded by a prominent connective-tissue framework, a reduplication of the pancreatic ducts may be found. In one or two ducta a double or triple row of cells may be seen.

371. PRAIRIE WOLF (Canis latram, 0).-Mixed-cell sarcoma of thyrod gZad.-Tliyroid enormously enlarged, partly cystic, containing about 300 C.C. of blood-stained fluid. It is the size of a child’s head, soft, friable, smooth, and appearing as if made up of fatty and hmmorrhagic matter. Section shows it to be a mixed-cell sarcoma, doubtless from the thyroid tissue, although none of this remains. I n some fields this type only is seen, while in others the picture is entirely changed by the presence of spindle cells around large areas of definitely round cells and near blood spaces, and also large masses of round or irregular cells swollen out by mdema or mucoid change. These last areas give the appearance of cartilage. They are, however, most likely mdematous cells surrounded by or containing mucoid material.

428. PRAIRIE WOLF (Canis latrans, 4).-Alveohr sarcoma of thyroid glad.-Two large venous masses are found deep on the sides of the neck, seemingly composed of varicose veins and blood S ~ C ~ S . Microscopically, the turnour is made up chiefly of large blood spaces surrounded by wide walls of hyaline connective tissue and lined rather sparsely with flat cells having deeply stained nuclei. The solid parts consist of sarcomatous tissue in small alveoli, having septa, varying in thickness, of hyaline connective tissue. No recognizable thyroid tissue is to be found.

652. WHITE-FRONTED AMAZON (C%rysotis leucocephala l).-Epithelioma of abdominal cavity.-This was apparently retroperitoneal. Its origin has not been determined. It consists of a badly defined basement membrane upon

The metastases are always sharply outlined.

The predominating cell is round.

There are structurally typical metastases in the lungs.

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which are irregular stratified squamous epithelial cells. Upon the surface are wavy bands of horny material, very much like the dried and cast-off epithelial scales, except more compact and extensive. These latter seem to form the bulk of the mass. Beneath the membrane a few irregular accumulations of cells bearing a similarity t o those on the surface may be found, but they are probably large plasma cells. The epithelial layer dips down like an epitheli- oma. While this mass has not been localized, it is doubtless an epithelioma, and should be included in this series. Its possible origin in the small intestine has been considered.

676. UNDULATED GMSS PARRAKEET (Melopsittacus undulatw, 6 ).-Glioma of &ain.-The growth in the brain coiisists of large irregular masses of large cells wi4h vesicular nuclei and pale homogeneous protoplasm. Scattered betweenthese accumulations are irregular strands of spindle cells, with spindle, shaped nuclei, taking the haematoxylin very deeply. The supporting tissue is almost without cells, taking the eosin faintly,’and is quite loosely arranged. No fibrils are seen among the cells. The blood vessels are congested, and at one place there is a small hasmorrhage. The vessel walls are the same as the rest of the connective tissue. There is a slightly atypical metastasis in the liver.

765. ALGGREEN PARRAKEET (Brotogeres tirim, d ). -Syncytial carcinoma (1) pectoral mwc1e.-In the right anterior chest muscle, extending from above the clavicle half-way down the crest and ala of the sternum, out to the wing joint, is a firm fleshy pink tumour, about the size of a cherry, homogeneous in consistency, except in two small areas of whitish appearance which are softer. Section shows the predominating coll to be bluntly spindle-shaped, with a large vesicular nucleus and prominent nucleolus. Xany are multinucleated. The general arrangement of the tumour is in whorls, but where the cells are rounder there seems to be an alveolar or nest arrangement. A few acinous groupings are also present. The picture varies somewhat in different parts of the section. Mass is encapsulated. The exact nature of the tumour has not been decided, since it is very difficult to determine the source. Serial sections and repeated sectioning of the other parts of the bird’s viscera revealed nothing. It is there- fore called a syncytial carcinoma of the pectoral muscle.

816. WILD TURKEY (Meleagrk gallapaoo, 0 .)-Cystic papillary adeno- carcinoma of ovary.-This is a tumour of the ovary, about the size of three English walnuts placed in triangular position. I t consists of three sub- divisions of the main body, covered with papillomatous prominences like a hydatid mole. On microscopic examination it proves to be a papillary cystic adeno-carcinoma. These various features differ greatly in distribution over the surface. The connective tissue is only moderately prominent, fairly well organized but progressive.

892. MALAYAN CIVET ( Viverra tangalunga, 6 ).-Carcinoma sinzplex of lung.-Found on microscopic examination. This neoplasm consists of regular nests of epithelial cells around a primary bronchus which has neither cartilage nor gland. It has the form of carcinoma simplex, having passed through the epithelioma stage, and conforms to Kaufman’s infiltrating form. (Details in Report qf the Philadelphia Zoological Society, 1907.)

977. WILD SWINE (Sus scrofa, 0 ).-Adeno-carcinoma r f l the uterus.-The right cornu uteri showed a firm sclerotic mass, occupying the whole of the wall and completely occupyiiig the lumen. On section, it is found to be an infil- trating scirrhous growth. Microscopic examination shows the mass to be a malignant adenoma with great increase in connective tissue. A polypoid endometritis is also present.

Spindle-cell sarcoma of pectoral nzusc1e.-Left pectoral muscle is the seat of a tumour about 3 x 2 cms. covered by skin. It has replaced the muscle almost entirely. It it3 sharply outlined, and the better preserved part is under tho

No pearls or separate nests are to be found.

981. UNDULATED GRASS PARRAIZEhT (Melopsittacus undulatus, 6 ).-

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capsule. A small haemorrhage has occurred between the well-preserved and necrotic layers. The tumour, as seen under the microscope, consists of definite spindle-cell sarcoma. There is a sharply out- lined typical metastasis in the liver.

1059. RED-SHOULDERED PARRAKEET (Palmwrk Euptrius 1). - Large roundall. sarcoma of testis.-Two inseparable masses, each the size of a bantam’s egg, are found in front of the kidney at the site of the sexual organ. They are soft, in some places doughy, in others resilient : on section, creamy white, and cut surface is covered with a turbid fluid. Body of the tumour was homogeneous, with lines suggestive of septa. The capsule was rough and leas than 1 mm. in thickness. Histological examination reveals a large round cell alveolar sarcoma No distinct trace of the primary organ could be found. Giant cells are numerous, Trabeculs were organized and rather hyaline. These tumours were bilaterally symmetrical. They were almost exactly the same, and the pedicle was fastened at the same place between the adrenals and the kidneys. It is, therefore, highly probable that they grew from the sexual gland. Their shape and smooth contour would strongly suggest the testicle.

).-Alveokar angio-sarcoma of thyroid glund.-There were two m a w on either side of the mid-line of the neck, extending from the thyroid cartilage to about an inch from the episternal notch. They were made up of cystic cavities filled with bloody fluid, and the walls of the cysts were fibrous, with plugs of soft tissue in them. The minute structure is that of alveolar angio-sarcoma. The arrangement varies con- siderably. In one field the cells are massed closely together, with only a very fine hyaline fibrillar interstitial substance, while in another there is an attempt at definite alveolus formation or irregular acinus arrangement. In the latter, as in the former case, the supporting tissue is pale, hyaline, and poor in cells. The cells are small, faceted, take a pale purple tint in the protoplasm, and have deeply staining, slightly eccentric nuclei. The spaces are filled with a hyaline material or with whole or degenerated blood. No trace of thyroid or para- thyroid tissue remains.

1225. DORCAS GOAT (Capa hircus, 8 ).-Lymphosarconza of niediastinnk glands.-The superior and posterior mediastina enclose a firm, .pale, homo- geneous mass of glands, the size of an adult fist, involving the bifurcation of the trachea and the great vessels above and adherent to the right to the superior lobe of the lung. An anthracotic medulla may be seen in the centre of the mass. There are infarct metastases in the kidney and spreading infiltrates in the capsule of the right lobe of the liver. Histologically the tumour presents a dense mass of small round cells without division into alveoli or nests. Blood vessels are very few and have only single layers of cells and a h e basement membrane. There are many lymphocytes or bare nuclei scattered through the cellular mass, and they confuse the observer. From the density of staining and size of the cells, and practical absence of reticulum, this is probably a lymphosarcoma. I n some abdominal glands are nodular metastases.

1388. CUVIER’S TOUCAN (Rampimstos cuuie).i, d ).-Kpithelioma of skin.- The left wing, just proximal to the tip, is the seat of a hard irregular tumour, slightly resilient and crepitating on pressure. On section it is seen to be made up of friable tissue containing a little bone salts with soft pale material between. A similar small nodule is seen in the lung macroscopically. On microscopical examination the mass is found to he an epithelioma, consisting chiefly of loosely arranged horny material in the interstices and in the centres of epithelial nests. The fingers and nests of epithelial proliferation are almost all degenerated in the centre. The metastasis has the same construction.

1369. RABBIT-EARED BANDICOOT (Thylaconzp lagotie, d ).-Cawinonla of

The centre is necrotic.

1153. GREY WOLF (Can& lupis mezieanus,

The cells are more like those of the latter.

Connective tissue is scanty.

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lung.-Found microscopically. A carcinoma is found around a bronchus and probably originating in the glands. In some areas it is carcinonia simplex, while in others it is more of the adenomatous type. This is very similar to the tumour found in No. 983.

1473. CARACAL (Felis Caracal, P ).-Osteochondroina of nose and superior niazilla.-There is a large swelling of the face, involving the left side of the nose and left superior maxilla down to alveolar border. The mass is resilient and crackles on pressure. Section surface appears like pale bone marrow with somc white firm lines and small areas (calcareous'!) in it. On histological examiuation the tumour is found to be made up of poorly developed cartilage with irregular nests of cells and destruction of normal arrangement. There are some scattered areas of bone deposit, but the histology of bone is not reproduced, although it seems as if an attempt were being made in that direction when one meets in this bony cartilage epaces containing young cells and a small amount of fibrillar tissue but no blood cells. The cartilage has undergone a mucoid change in large part, and in places cells are missing entirely over several fields. A few small spots are found where embryonal cells are clumped together with a small amount of fibrillar supporting tissue, suggestive of sarcoma.

1504. RED Fox (Cania vulpes pennsylvanicrrs, d ).-Cystic adenoina qf bile ducts.-A mass 2 x 1-5 crns. was found in the liver substance near the gall- bladder, consisting of firm white framework which encloses many small cysts containing clear fluid. Histologically this is a cyst adenoma of the bile ducts. The cavities are much distorted and tortuous, while their epithelium is not flattened but quite high, and in some two layers deep, the cells of the outer layer being only a little shorter than the basal cells.

1853. CHAPMAN'S ZEBRA (Epuus hurchelli chapmani, P ) -Fibroma peri- fonei, with sarcomatous and osseoua change.-At the upper extremity of the upper lobe of the left lung there is a small mass about the size of a cherry stone, dark amber with a yellow brown margin, firm, encapsulated, and homogeneous.

Within the U of the caecum is a mass about the size of a full-term human foetal head, attached to the serosa. It is yellow, nodular, crackles on pressure, and is of varying consistency. On section it is found full of bone salts, particularly in the trabeculs. The masses enclosed by these are yellow and fatty, or pale yellowish-white ; they seem like connective tissue.

Microscopically, the largest part of the tumour is fibroma ; however, the sections show a few areas in which there exists active proliferation of young connective-tissue cells and a few giant cells. I n close association with these areas a myxomatous degeneration might be found. There is also bone formation with myxomatous substance between the septa.

1960. RED-SHOULDERED PARRAKEET (Palmornis eupatrius, d ).-Alveolar round-cell sarcoma of testis.-The intestines are pushed forward, and the liver and stomach upward by a mass of left testicle. It is 3 x 2.5 crns., white and grey, encapsulated, smooth, and the centre is softened. It occupies the whole space in front of the upper lobe of the left kidney. The section shows an alveolar sarcoma. Some of the cells, particularly in the freely growing areas, are of the epithelioid type. In some places the tumour cells seem to have escaped from the alveoli and grow unrestrictedly in large distended perivascular spaces. There are certain groupings which suggest that the tumour arose from the adrenal, but by a careful search a few acini of testicular tissue were found, much distorted and not functionating. Dissection was not made, because tho tumour was left in place and the whole bird kept for a museum specimen.

19614. WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE (f'eromyscus leucopus, d ). - Spindle-cell sarcoma.-This tumour apparently arose from the soft tissue of the upper hind- leg on the right side. It presents a tumour about 2.5 x 2.5 crns., of yellowish- white, homogeneous appearance. The capsule is delicate but distinct. Micro-

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scopically it is an ordinary spindle-cell sarcoma. Several areas have undergone a necrotic change. Two irregular multinucleated cells were found.

1998. SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO (Tatu novemcinctus, 9).-Fibroma uteri- acute exudative endometriti8.-The uterus is enlarged, so that it measures 90 mm. from the external 0s to the fundus. The tubes and ovaries are appar- ently normal. There is considerable grumous blood around and outside the cervix. The cervix is pale and opaque in its lower half, while the upper half is slightly congested and the mumsa decidedly rugose. The uterus itself shows an attenuated muscular wall with a thickened irregular mucosa, which is the seat of pseudo-membranous tabs of a dull red colour. It is also mottled with yellow in some places. The size of the uterus is due to a large fibroma attached to the left lateral wall near the cornu. The mucous membrane covering this mass is irregularly distributed, the tumour being bare in some places. Here and there the mucosa shows the same degenerating and hypertrophic character as is seen on the uterine wall. The tumour is attached to the wall by a narrow peduncle.

2070. SAFFRON FINCH (Syculis.RaveoZa, d).-Adeno-carcinoma of kidney.- I n the upper lobe of the left kidney there is a roughly sphericalfyellowish- white mass about 7 mm. in diameter, sharply outlined but without a capsule. When closely observed there Reems to be a preservation of the general kidney structure, but the markings of lobules cannot be clearly outlined. Micro- scopically, the tumour is sharply outlined but not encapsulated, and consists of a mixed alveolar and acinous epithelial cell grouping of rather irregular kidney architecture. The cells are relatively small, their nucleus vesicular, also relatively small, containing a large, clear, slightly eccentric nucleolus. The protoplasm is granular, but takes a dull acid stain without the mucoid appearance of large adrenal cells. Blood vessels have very thin walls.

2249. UNDULATED GRass PARR~KEET (Melopsittams undulatus, 9 ).- Papillary adenonsa of kidney.-The bird is thin and abdomen very prominent. On opening the abdomen it is found that the viscera are pushed upward and forward by a pale grey nodular mass, 3 x 2 x 2.5 cms. The capsule is quite vascular. On section, it is smooth, soft, and homogeneous, except for small, firm, yellow nodules, which separate out from the surrounding tissue, not encapsulated. The mass lies retro- peritoneal in front of kidneys, which are loosely attached to its capsule. The left kidney, while small, seems intact. The right upper and middle lobes are apparently normal, but the lower lobe is compressed antero-posteriorly, so .that i t forms B shell of pale brown aedematous tissue OD the capsule of the growth, but can be separated therefrom. Both adrenals and the ovary are present and only slightly compressed, separable from the capsule of the tumour. Descend- ing portion of ileum passes over anterior surface of tuLour, and then downward and backward to cloaca, which is pointing forward.

Microscopical section presents an atypical tissue, which is, however, not unlike testis in architecture. It is composed chiefly of more or less closely packed irregular acini, some definitely tubular, others compact and without even arrangement, while still others are included within a well-formed connectivetissue capsule and are tortuous and papilliform. The cells are either single cuboidal or single cylindrical where lying on basement membranes, or multiform where in compact nests. They are of adrenal type, medullary in staining reaction, but have no definite vacuolizstion. Very few mitoses were found and they seemed normal apart from paleness and looseness of chromatin. The large syncytial cells do not seem to be present. No structures like ducts of discharging character or glomeruli are to be found.

2333. WOODCHUCK (Arctomys monax, 9 ).-Ademma simplex of liver.-The liver is increased in size and weight. The surface is nodular and edges aro irregular. The liver lies low in the abdominal cavity, one-half being below

Grumous blood is present in this cavity.

Glomeruli are not to be found.

Connective tissue is inconspicuous.

General section surface is pale grey.

16-JL. or PATA.--VOL. XVII.

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228 HERBERT ROX.

the costal margin. The organ is firm, resilient, and tough, with a dull, moist, granular, and opaque section surface. The liver substance is distorted by many varying-sized notfules-yellow, grey, encapsulated, firm or slightly resilient tumours, 0.3 to 10 crns. Between these the toughened liver is granular. Lobules are obscured or obliterated. Blood vessels seem increased, but the bile ducts do not. The interlobular connective tissue cannot be followed, but it is probably also intralobular. The connective tissue does not seem to spread from the tumour capsule. Microscopical section shows the liver structure much distorted by nodular tumours and connective-tissue increase. I n the organ tissue proper, there is slight fatty infiltration, and a rather young con- nective tiesue is abundant between the lobules. It is often difficult to say whether one is looking a t tumour or liver. The tumour resembles the two outer layers of adrenal also. It is disposed in tubules and bundles, which in some places are separated by empty tubes, and at others are closely apposed. Tho tumour cells are granular and fatty. No mitotic figures or giant cells. They stain like liver cells, except perhaps a little more densely in eosin. The tumour nodules are surrounded by a well-organized capsule, in which are many small round cells. Liver ducts are also to be seen, but, while slightly more numerous than normal, do not seem to partieipnte in the tumonrP.

2408. GREY SQUIRREL (Seiurus carolinem's pennsyluane'ciis, 0 ).-Hyper- nepkoma of kidney.-The organs seem to have been normal, except the kidney. The kidney is normal in size and shape, and is firm. The capsule strips with n little difficulty, but does not tear the surface, which i irregular but not tough. The glomeruli are not visible. Blood vessels are clear but not distended. On the anterior surface of the right kidney there is a small, yellowish-brown nodule, 5' mm. across, and raised 2 mm. from the surrounding surface. This is the external portion of a tumour, 1.2 x 1.8 cm., occupying the full thickness of the kidney on the right anterior half. The cut surface of the tumour is smooth, homo- geneous, clearly outlined from the adjacent kidney tissue, but not encapsulated. On close inspection it seems to be divided into nests, but connective-tissue septa are difficult to discern.

Microscopical section presents a piece of kidney, the seat of chronic inter- stitial nephritis, and a sharply outlined, well-encnpsulated tumour. This is made up of tissue resembling adrenal, pnrticularly the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata. There are many vncuolated cclls, some bearing double nuclei, which for the most part are rather deeply stained, circular, and eccentrically situated. Some few seem to divide directly, but no mitotic figures are to be seen. The irregularity of the arrangement, with equal growth and distribution seemingly in all directions, would probably indicate a hypernephronia. There are a few large, pale blue staining bodies, suggesting the remnants of ganglion cells. When the above is con- sidered with the size and evident progression of the tumour outward, as indicated by the gross appearance, it seems more like a hypernephroma.

2478. UNDULATED GRASS PARRAKEET (Melopsittaeus undulntus, 0 ).-Adem- earcinonza of oviduct.-Immediately under the ovary is an irregular mass, measuring 2 crns. long, 1 cm. wide, 1 cm. thick. The lower part of the tumour thus comes to press against the cloaca. It is adherent posteriorly to the peritoneum. It consists, apparently, of two parts-an upper, rounded , slightly larger ; and a lower, spherical, slightly smaller. Both parts are well encapsu- lated and separated from each other by a well-defined constriction. The upper part has a pale, opalescent appearance. It cuts easily with moderate resistance. The lower portion has, externally, an egg-yellow colour streaked with red. Upon section it has the same general appearance but contains in addition numerous small, irregular, yellow areas, which mask the general opalescent appearancc. The centre of this node contains an empty space (cyst) 1 x 2 mm.

No pigment is seen.

The section surface is glistening and has wide s t r i a

This would suggest a simple adrenal rest.

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OBSER VATZONS O N NEOPLASMS Z N WZLD ANIMALS. 229

Microscopical section consista of an oval and elliptical mass, showing over one convexity a depression simulating a constriction. A thin fibrous capsule extends over most of the section, which is extra thick at the point of con- striction mentioned above. At the opposite side of section, the capsule is lacking. This corresponds to the line of artificial separation from the bird's body. The constriction above mentioned roughly divides the section into an upper and lower portion. The upper portion consists of one or two coarse septa of fibrous tissue. From these central areas a delicate connective-tissue framework extends peripherally. In this framework are great numbers of irregular gland spaces. These gland spaces are so closely placed, in most cases, that room is afforded for only one nucleus of the bundle. The gland spaces vary in size, some being large, some small, and show most grotesque shapes. The larger gland spacee here contain granular debris and pyknotic nuclei. Compound granule cells, suggesting colostrum corpuscles, may be seen in this ddbris. The epithelium of the gland spaces consists of a single layer of columnar epithelium of the low cuboidal type. I n places it is heaped up, so as to present several layers. In places, too, it is not applied in a regular manner t o the basement membrane, but breaks through, and then the cells extend in most disorderly fashion into the lymphatics of the stroma. At these places the nuclei are hyperchromatic. The lower portion follows closely the description given above, save that the glandular spaces are much larger. They contain pink granular material with an admixture of compound granule cells. At the convexity of the tumour the acini are especially large. Here they contain a pink granular material, which stains more intensely than the other granular contents; and, too, inside of this intense pink material, are sharply circum- scribed areas of yet more intensely pink staining material. This latter substance has a streaming appearance under high power. This streaming appearance is due to elongated areas of less dense material, which are placed with their long axes parallel. This lower portion, furthermore, shows, even with the naked eye, two large cysts which are lined by epithelium and contain a very small number of compound granule cells. The capsule at the lower pole of the tumour is worthy of note from the extreme dilatation of its capillaries.

2481. RED-SHOULDERED BUZZARD (Buteo lineatus, 9 ).--Mized-ceZl sarcoma of yetroperitoneuni.-The right retroperitoneal region is occupied by a large, soft, yellow-grey, nodular, resilient mass, which has replaced the right kidney entirely so that no trace remains. Posteriorly it has invaded the intermuscular tissue and surrounded the right ileo-femoral joint. The femur and ileum broke during dissection and showed the infiltration around but not 'within the bony substance. Interiorly the tumour extends down the iiitestine to the cloaca, and the capsule is firmly adherent to the pelvic wall. There is no trace of kidney or adrenal on the right side. The upper lobe of the left kidney is apparently normal but decomposed. The lower lobe is compressed but not involved in the tumour. No other tumours are seen in the body,

Microscopically the section consists of irregularly arranged cells of the sarcoma type, chiefly spindle cells, but also round cells. There is a small amount of a nuclear connective tissue between grand divisions of the tumour, and a still smaller amount within the cell groups. A striking feature of the section is the presence of numerous empty spaces lined by epithelium and surrounded by an irregular mantle of cells with hrger, paler nuclei than most of the tumour cells. The irregularity of cell arrangement, the prevailing small cell with moderately well-stained nucleus, and the absence of uniformity and solidity place this growth among the mixed-cell sarcomata, with spindle cell predominating, rather than among the endotheliomata.

2515. ISABELLINE GAZELLE (Gatzlla isabella, d ).-Osteo;fib.ro?iza of superior mwilla within antrzon.-Facial bones are soft, and there is a change

The ovary is apparently normal.

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230 HERBERT FOX.

in the subocnlar contour. On pressure a soft crackling is perceived, and the siiidses on the left side are larger than normal. The lower jawbone is soft and considerably enlarged in circumference. The teeth are movable, but cannot be removed from their sockets by the fingers. On cross-section the tooth bed is found to be densely injected. The spongy bone is filled up witb an irregular connective tissue with softer haemorrhagic material in its meshes. The hard bone is very narrow, and there is a noticeable thickening of the periosteum. The antra contain a solid, resilient, lightly encapsulated, mottled red and grey tumour, which on section is found to contain particles of bone. The left tumour measures 4 x 3.5 crns. up and down and laterally respectively. The left tumour measures 2.5 x 1.5 crns. in the same planes. The lower nose and palate are thickened, fibrous, and cartilaginous, and the tumour seems to spring from them. A11 sinuses and nasal cavities are distorted, but there is no infiltrative inflammation or hypertrophy of the bone.

Microscopical section shows an irregular mass of actively growing fibrous tissue, chiefly characterized by its very involved arrangement, with a tendency to run in cellular bundles around and between inore cellular areas. These last are associated with irregular strands of bone formation which is entirely imperfect but which here and there shows a tendency to the formation of irregular Haversian systems. The capsule is dense and in places hyaline. One pieca of membrane beyond the capsule shows a hypertrophied and fibrous mucous membrane, the epithelium tending to reduplicate and having a flat or cuboidal shape. Here and there throughout the section, particularly in more cellular areas, there are giant-cell formations, most of them un- doubtedly arising from constricted bone. Some few have the appearance of a sarcoma giant cell.

In the lower jaw this picture is repeated, but is combined with an osteo- plastic inflammation similar to the rachitis seen elsewhere. There are pro- portionately more of the giantcell type and it is not improbable that we have here an early sarcomatous change.

2516. CLOUDED LEOPARD (Felis nebulosa, ~).-Endothelioina of pleura. -On opening the chest, which was done by lateral incision and through the diaphragm, an extensive tuberculosis was found, involving chiefly the parietal pleura and falciform anterior mediastinal band. This process con- sisted largely of definitely outlined, firm, irregular, cohesive, yellow nodules, which in the posterior mediastinum had coalesced to cauliflower growths. On the parietal pleura it is chiefly of the spreading infiltrative type, but it still retains its tendency to discrete nodules. It follows the line of the ribs. On both sides there are extensive active plaques in the diaphragmatic sulci. In the midline posteriorly in front of the vessels a large mass is attached to the diaphragm, and below this muscle there is a yellow fibrous thickening, but without the discrete yellow nodules. On the visceral pleura, particularly in the left lung, there are similar yellow masses, but they tend to spread out in plagues. The bronchial glands are small, soft, deeply anthracotic, and do not show yellow nodulee.

Microscopical section shows the cauliflower masses to be made up of irregularly massed cells of endothelial type, on surface, showing metaplasia to the polyhedral connective-tissue type in the interior. The tubules are solidly cellular, while the stacks and masses have more of the connectivetissue type. Teleangiectatic pictures of blood vessels are found, and the tumour cells abut directly on the blood stream, only having a slightly compressed mantle of cells between. In the plaques of tumour on muscle base the surface shows the endothelial structures, while between this and the muscle there is actively growing connective tissue. In the zone between well-developed connectivo tissue and growing endothelium the stages of metaplasia may be seen. In one or two places a suggestion of a filled-up lymph channel or a nest of endothelium replacing some cavity may be seen. There is no true cyst lvith. ramifying or papillomatous overgrowth.

There are apparently no masses in the lung.

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ORSER VATIONS O N NEOPLASMS IN WILD ANIMALS. 231

Between the time of collecting the material for this paper and its el.impletion, twenty-one autopsies have been done. In this number wc? observed a hypernephroma in the adrenal of a California hair seal (Zalophiis califomianus, ?). It formed a spherical enlargement of the upper pole about 3 x 2 cms. It waa sharply outlined, mottled red and brown, situated within the medulla and slightly firmer than the cortex. Microscopically there is a chronic connective-tissue change in the cortex with widening of the septum between it and the medulla. This latter is occupied by solid nests of cells and hamorrhagic spaces into which the nests seem to extend in proliferating figures. The nests consist of more or less solidly arranged, rather large cells with ill-defined margins and a granular, opaque, but not vacuolated or chromatophilic protoplasm. The nucleus is bladder-like and the nucleolus is prominent. Mitoses could not be found. The centre of some of these cell nests has undergone necrosis. The whole tumour is hzemorrhagic.

REFERENCES.

1. BROOKS, HARLOW. . . . Am. Joumz. Med. Sc., Phila., 1907, vol.

2. SELIQYANN. . . . . . Proc. London Zool. Soc., 1907, p. 173. 3. SIJTTON, BLAND . . . . Zbid., 1886, p. 206.

cxxxiii. p. 769.