SURGERY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PODIATRY

Every tissue is composed of two parts: the cellular elements and

the intercellular substance. These are called cells and stroma. Upon the

first of these depends the vitality and function of the part, while its

density, shape and general physical properties are determined by

the second. Likewise along the same lines of reason, all of our

organs have two separate areas of tissue: theparenchymatous and

the interstitial. The first contains the functioning and the second the

supporting elements.

The physical conditions of the interstitial tissue or the intercellular

substance vary greatly in density. Blood is a tissue, the intercellular

constituent of which is fluid, and as we consider more dense tissues,

we encounter all degrees of density of the framework or

intercellular substance, until with the additional presence of

calcareous elements, we conceive the hardness of bone and dentine.

Tissues as a whole, however, are not solid; there are spaces in the

supporting structure to admit of the passage of arteries, veins,

nerves, and lymphatics.

Abnormal conditions arise in the various parts of the tissues. Certain

diseases affect the parenchymatous tissue in an organ more than the

interstitial tissue and again others affect the blood vessels

particularly.