Contributions toward the study of changes in the microvascular-tissual system in diabetes mellitus (Observations on 50 biopsies of the finger-tip).

Fifty biopsies of finger-tips, from diabetic patients were examined. We wish to emphasize, of damage in the blocking devices and in the preglomic arterioles as opposed to the limited modifications produced in the small dermic and hypodermic arteries. The glomera are almost constantly affected in their various components: in particular, the fusion of the glomic capsule with the intra- and extraglomic connective should be noted, as well as the presence of accumulated P.A.S. positive material among the mioepithelioid cells in the intermediate segment. The capillaries are frequently affected by hyperplasia of the intimal endothelium, sometimes with subocclusive phenomena, while the basal membrane is thickened and P.A.S. positive more often in extraglomic than in intraglomic capillaries.