Part 55

Of the capacity of the absorbents in their course.—Manner of ascertaining it.—Extreme varieties which it exhibits.—Capacity of the absorbents compared with that of the veins. 99

Anastomoses of the absorbents in their course.—Different modes of these anastomoses.—Remarks upon the lymphatic circulation. 102

Remarks upon the difference of dropsies that are produced by the increase of exhalation, and those that are the effect of a diminution of absorption.—Cases that may be referred to one or the other cause. 104

III. Termination of the Absorbents.

Trunks of termination.—Their disproportion with the branches.—Consequences.—Difficulties in regard to the motion of the lymph.—Remarks upon venous absorption. 105

IV. Structure of the Absorbents.

Exterior texture.—Vessels.—Peculiar membrane.—Valves.—Uses of these last. 109

ARTICLE SECOND.

LYMPHATIC GLANDS.

I. Situation, Size, Forms, &c.

Varieties of their number and situation in the different regions.—Relation with the cellular texture.—Varieties from age, sex, &c. 111

II. Organization.

Colour.—Its varieties.—Particular arrangement about the bronchia. 114

Common parts.—External cellular texture.—Cellular membrane.—Vessels. 115

Peculiar texture.—Density.—Cells.—Contained fluid.—Properties and phenomena of this texture.—Interlacing of the absorbents. 116

ARTICLE THIRD.

PROPERTIES OF THE ABSORBENT SYSTEM.

I. Properties of Texture. 118

II. Vital Properties.

Animal sensibility.—Its phenomena in the vessels and the glands.—Organic properties.—Their duration after death.—Remarks upon the absorbent faculty of dead bodies. 119

Characters of the vital properties.—Life is very evident in this system.—Its disposition to inflammation.—Character which this affection has in it. 122

Differences of the vital properties in the absorbent vessels and their glands.—These differences are remarkable.—Their influence upon diseases. 123

Sympathies.—Sympathies of the glands.—Sympathies of the vessels.—Remarks upon the engorgements of the lymphatic glands. 124

ARTICLE FOURTH.

OF ABSORPTION.

I. Influence of the Vital Forces upon this Function.

All depends on the organic properties. 128

II. Varieties of Absorption.