Studies on the Tubal Mucous Glands Part 2. Changes in Experimental Suppurative Otitis Media

After induction of experimental suppurative otitis media in rabbits the author studied the conditions of tubal mucous glands and goblet cells stained with muci-carmine, the staining specific to mucus, and obtained the following results. 1. In the case of suppurative otitis media tubal mucous glands are rapidly destroyed from the early stage, but goblet cells are regenerated in a large number and their functions are accelerated. However, ciliated cells are markedly decreased in number. 2. The longer the duration of suppurative otitis media and the greater the degree of its inflammation, the higher is the extent of the destruction of tubal mucous glands, and the number of ciliated cells is decreased while the marked regeneration as well as the acceleration of the functions of goblet cells can be recognized. 3. When suppurative otitis media is cured, those tubal mucous glands that escaped the destruction recover along with the healing of suppurative otitis media to the extent whereby they can perform normal functions However, those mucous glands that were destroyed will not be regenerated. Ciliated cells and goblet cells recover to normal when the otitis is healed.