Necrometer

(nek-rom'-et-er). An instrument for weighing organs at an autopsy. They are usually about the size of a pin's head, but may reach the size of a hen's egg. On section they have a soft, tallowy consistence. They are constituted of a combination of lime with certain fatty acids, and may be encrusted with lime. They may occur independently of disease of the pancreas. See Diseases, Table of. N., Cheesy, necrosis characterized by the formation of a cheese-like material. Dry and moist cheesy necrosis are the two varieties described. It is usually due to the presence of the tubercle-bacillus, and is most often seen in the lungs. N., Coagulative, a variety characterized by the formation of fibrin. Its most common seat is the blood in thrombi. It also occurs on mucous membranes, where it produces false membrane, chiefly under the influence of the bacillus of diphtheria, but also of other irritant agents. Occasionally it occurs in the interior of organs as the result of embolism or thrombosis, leading to the formation of an anemic infarct q. v. N., Colliquative. N, Liquefactive. N., Embolic, coagulative necrosis in an anemic infarct following embolism. N., Hyaline, coagulative necrosis; also a synonym of hyaline degeneration. N. in fan til is. Synonym of Cancrum or is. N. laryngis. Synonym of Per i chondritis of the Larynx. N., Liquefactive, a proce analogous to coagulative necrosis, but instead of fibrin the peculiar reaction of fluids and cells gives rise to the formation of a liquid. Blisters and vesicles, softening of the brain subsequent to embolism, and suppuration are the results of liquefactive necrosis. It may also be the terminal stage of all other forms of necrosis. N., Mercurial, a necrosis of bones due to chronic Nec rom i mes is (iiek-ro-mim-e' -sis). I. The insane delusion of one who believes himself to be dead. 2. Simulation of death by a deluded person.