168
On TEICHMANN'S BLOOD-CRYSTALS.
By WILLIAM HENDRY, Esq.
HAVING an impression that the nature of Teichmann's
blood-crystals, supposed to be that of pure hsematine or of the
colouring matter of blood, and hence termed hematin-crystals,
may not be so generally understood as the subject seems to
merit; believing also that but very few individuals amongst
those whom their production may chiefly interest have
hitherto undertaken manipulations with respect to them,
and the subject at large possessing a general microscopical
value, as well as being of some interest in medical jurisprudence, I have deemed it worth while to awaken the
attention of your readers to it, with the earnest hope of
inducing some to undertake enlarged experiments, and of
eliciting additional facts, which may tend to still greater
utility.
How much it still exists a desideratum to determine conclusively the character of certain supposed blood-stains can
only be evinced by the recent contributions to scientific
journak and in various other publications, mostly relating to
some modifications of the usual chemical measures applicable
to the question ('Chemical News/ June, 1861) as contained
in an article by Guibourt, also (idem, November, 1861)
another on the subject by Thomas D. Toase, of Jamaica,
who quotes Fowne, Miiller, and Taylor; but if we refer on.
the other hand to Kolliker (edit. 1860, p. 526), and also to
Virchow, translated by F. Chance (1860, p. 145), we find
therein a value put upon Teichmann's crystals by these
authors, as also by Briicke and others, perhaps not hitherto
sufficiently regarded by the leading authorities in our own
country.
Now I think, in all justice, the subject is well worthy of
every consideration, for satisfactory as may be the ordinary
chemical means of determining the nature of supposed bloodstains or spots, as taught by Taylor and others, consisting in
steeping, boiling, the application of ammonia, the production
of a coagulum or precipitate, then filtering, drying, boiling in
caustic potash, and the further productions of solubility and
colour, occasions still may arise when in the case of stains or
spots of very minute size, or occurring under various circumstances, the production of Teichmann's crystals might afford
the most available and conclusive evidence in the matter.
HEND11Y, ON T E I C H M A N N ' S BLOOD-CRYSTALS.
169
My.own hitherto limited experience would induce me to
place as much reliance upon the one method as the other
(English as Continental), as regards ordinary quantities, but
we have the authority of Virchow to the purport that, " i n
cases in which the ordinary chemical tests would necessarily
fail on account of the smallness of the quantity, we are still
able to obtain htematine." Again, " These forms (crystalline)
have proved of very great importance in forensic medicine on
account of their having been employed as one of the surest
tests for the examination of blood-stains." I myself, says
Virchow, have been in a position to make experiments of
this sort in forensic cases; and he further asserts that in the
case of a murdered man, on the sleeve of whose coat "blood had
spurted, and where some of the drops were only a line in
diameter, he- had been able from these minute specks to
produce innumerable crystals of liEematine—of course microscopical ones."
Now, it appears to me that Virchow himself is unfortunately rather loose in the expressions, " some of the drops,"
" from these minute specks," &c, where it is intended to
imply a minimum quantity of material under manipulation,
for a multiplicity of drops, of each a line in diameter, might
afford a quantity amply sufficient for comparison. However,
I am myself willing to suppose that a quantity of material
covering a space not exceeding about -nyth or -rrth of an
English inch in length as well as in breadth, may furnish
ample means of producing abundance of the crystals in question, as readily as a number of drops or even an indefinite
continuous line of blood-deposit.
Kolliker likewise states, " the interest of these crystals has
recently been greatly enhanced, from their having been used
by Briicke in the diagnosis of blood spots."
So far, therefore, as authority goes, as to the importance
of Teichmann's crystals, there is nothing wanting, yet there
are a few matters to be understood concerning the distinctions necessary to be observed between the crystals obtained
from the colouring matter of blood, whether produced spontaneously or artificially, or whether formed in or out of the
body.
Jones and Sieveking figure crystals of luematine as elon-,
gated rectangular tablets, which vary very much in size,Jyi<f
are coloured more or less deeply by red matter (edit. 3*54,
p. 91) such are of pathological import.
Vv
Hcematoidine crystals are formed in the body out of hjeWatine, in the form of oblique rhombic columns or plates, sometimes resembling uric acid crystals, common to apoplectic
VOL. IV.
NEW SER.
N
170
HENDRY, ON TE1CHMANN3S BLOOD-CRYSTALS.
effusions, coagula or' extravasations, thrombi, &c, and presenting the usual play of colours by chemical treatment
similar to the colouring matter of bile; being also insoluble
in water, alcohol, ether, or acetic acid. (See Virchow, p. 145 ;
Kolliker, p. 526.)
Scemin crystals of Teichmann, on the other hand, are not
of pathological import, do not occur spontaneously, but are
produced artificially and out of the body.
Another form of crystal is designated hcemato-crystalline
of Lehmann. These differ in different classes of animals,
are very destructible, and readily perish, are found in normal
perfectly fresh blood, outside the body only, are soluble in
acetic and nitric acids, and also in caustic alkalies; they are
red or colourless crystals, assuming the form of needles,
columns or plates, probably belonging to the rhombic system,
but also occur as tetrahedra, octohedra (guinea pig, rat,
mouse), or as hexagonal plates (squirrel), &c.
It may now be desirable to enter upon the subject of
manipulation—recording the several brief methods for the
production of Teichmann's crystals, as set forth by authors,
and furnishing also such details as I have found myself the
most advantageous in the course of my own investigations.
A blood-stain is treated with distilled water, and the
solution, to which is added a little common salt, is evaporated
in vacuo over sulphuric acid, then wetted with glacial acetic
acid and evaporated on the water-bath, a few drops of distilled
water being added to the product. Teichmann's crystals
may thus be examined ('Kolliker,' 1860, p. 526).
Again, the best mode of proceeding is to mix dried blood
in as compact form as possible with dry crystallized powdered
common salt, and then to add to this mixture glacial acetic
acid, and evaporate at a boiling heat; this is a reaction which
must be ranked among the most certain and reliable ones
"with which we are acquainted (' Virchow,' 1860, p. 146).
M. Briicke directs to " wash the spots with cold distilled
water to the reddish solution obtained, add a solution of seasalt, and evaporate to dryness in vacuo over a vessel containing sulphuric acid; examine the dry residue well by the
microscope, to verify whether it contains airy matter which
might be mistaken for Teichmann's crystals; then add a little
glacial acetic acid, evaporate to dryness, moisten the residue
with water, when crystals of htematine will be formed if blood
exists in the spots."
One might reasonably suppose, after the above several
quotations, that nothing could remain to be added, and yet
in experiment sources of failure may still exist. The 'Micro-
HENDRY, ON TEICHMANN3S BLOOD-CRYSTALS.
171
graphical Dictionary' fortunately supplies the deficiency,
although. I had myself accidentally stumbled upon its recommendations prior to my consulting it. Under the head of
Hsematoidine, which appears therein to embody the several
kinds of blood-crystals, the author states, " If recently dried
blood be treated with a vegetable acid (acetic, oxalic), and a
drop of the solution be placed upon a slide COVERED WITH
THIN GLASS, and kept at a temperature of 80° to 100°, Pahr.,
the crystals may also be obtained, the addition of water and
a little alcohol or ether to the blood sometimes favours the
separation of the crystals—their preservation is difficult."
My own experiments have been conducted thus:—A drop
or two of fluid blood, or if dry, with an addition of distilled
water, may be placed upon a slide, and a small quantity of
dried common salt be mixed with it, and spread through a
disc of about the size of a shilling; lightly cover over to
protect from dust, and set aside for a day or two for spontaneous evaporation, then scrape off the hardened material
with a knife edge, break up and spread loosely, moisten with
glacial acetic acid, and apply a thin glass cover (square),
filling up with the acid by means of a glass rod; place now
upon the water-bath (a temporary apparatus, such as two teacake tins placed upon a tripod and heated with the spirit,
may suffice), and when dry apply in like manner a few drops
of distilled water with the glass rod, the cover not being
disturbed; continue the heat to dryness, examine under the
microscope both slide and cover, reversing that which is
most approved; then moisten with spirits of turpentine or
chloroform, and mount in Canada balsam, in which will be
found an admirable medium of preservation notwithstanding
the difficulties asserted elsewhere. The -nj-ths objective will
constitute a power best adapted for observation, the crystals,
although deviating much in size, yet for the most part
are very characteristic.
I have myself experimented several times very successfully
upon a much less quantity than the usually estimated bulk of
a drop of human blood.