Part 61

Tendency of the membrane of the spleen to become the seat of it.—Preternatural cartilages of the articulations. 257

FIBROUS SYSTEM.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

ARTICLE FIRST.

OF THE FORMS AND DIVISIONS OF THE FIBROUS SYSTEM.

The fibrous forms are either membranous or in fasciæ. 259

I. Of the Fibrous Organs of a Membranous Form.

Fibrous membranes.—Fibrous capsules.—Fibrous sheaths.—Aponeuroses. 260

II. Of the Fibrous Organs in the form of Fasciæ.

1st. Tendons.—2d. Ligaments. 262

III. Table of the Fibrous System.

Analogy of the different organs of this system.—The periosteum is the common centre of these organs. 262

ARTICLE SECOND.

ORGANIZATION OF THE FIBROUS SYSTEM.

I. Of the Texture peculiar to the Organization of the Fibrous System.

Peculiar nature of the fibrous texture.—Its extreme resistance.—Phenomena of this resistance.—It can be overcome.—Difference of the fibrous and muscular textures.—Experiments upon the fibrous texture subjected to maceration, ebullition, putrefaction, the action of the acids, the digestive juices, &c. 264

II. Of the Common Parts which enter into the Organization of the Fibrous System.

Cellular texture.—Blood vessels.—Their varieties according to the organs. 270

ARTICLE THIRD.

PROPERTIES OF THE FIBROUS SYSTEM.

I. Physical Properties.

II. Properties of Texture.

Extensibility.—Peculiar law to which it is subjected there. Contractility.—It is almost nothing.—When it is manifested. 272

III. Vital Properties.

Animal sensibility.—Singular mode of putting it in action by distension.—Consequence of this peculiar phenomenon to the fibrous texture. 274

Character of the vital properties.—The vital activity is more evident in this system than in the preceding.—It appears that the fibrous texture does not suppurate. 277

Sympathies.—Examples of those of the animal and the organic properties. 279

ARTICLE FOURTH.