On the myelins, myelin bodies, and potential fluid crystals of the organism

Abstract

When, in 1854, Virchow recognised myelin as, if not a single substance identical with the essential constituent of the medulla of nerves, at least as a class of substances which chemically were closely allied thereto, he described it as possessing the following characteristics:— (i) When brought into contact with water it swells up, exhibiting a characteristic morphology, and developing processes of irregular and bizarre form having a double contour. (ii) Easily soluble in hot alcohol, becoming in part precipitated on cooling.