Microscopic Researches on Glycogen

Abstract

PART I. of this work which appeared about three years ago, treated of the physiological functions of glycogen. It contained a number of interesting records of microscopic work, and showed that glycogen is present in a number of situations particularly during embryonic life, in which its presence was previously unsuspected. Claude Bernard, in his classical work on the subject, recognised the presence of glycogen in the placenta and many other embryonic structures, and Dr. Creighton amplified this by more numerous observations. As development progresses, and specialisation of function occurs, the glycogenic function is narrowed down to the liver and muscles instead of being widespread throughout the tissues. Dr. Creighton concluded, on what we regard as insufficient grounds, that the function of glycogen is much more important than physiologists have hitherto considered to be the case. He insists on its “formative” function, by which we suppose he means that it is an all-important or even essential substance in the construction of living matter, and he even assigns to it a respiratory function, believing that in early life it takes the place of hæmoglobin. His proofs of its oxygen-carrying capacity were even less complete than those of its formative properties.

Microscopic Researches on Glycogen.

Part ii. Glycogen of Snails and Slugs, in morphological and physiological correspondence with the Lymph System of Vertebrates. By Charles Creighton Pp. 127; 9 coloured plates. (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1899.)