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The alleged or so-called differences between what is known as membranous croup and diphtheritis are—1st, pathological; 2d, clinical ones. There was great importance attached to the pathological structure of the false membranes found in the pharynx and larynx in the peculiar inflammations known as diphtheria and membranous croup.
Virchow was the originator of these so-called pathological differences, better called theoretical distinctions. He admitted a similarity in structure, but claimed that the exudation was poured into the structure into the substance of the mucous membrane in pharyngeal diphtheria, while in membranous croup the exudation was but a coagulation upon the surface.
A most important point was thought here to be made in practical diagnosis,—removing the membranes, etc., etc. No homogenous basement membrane in the pharynx, and is in the larynx. He surrendered this ground finally, for he found that these exudations passed into each other by insensible gradations, and then brought