Part 72

Is the Synovia transmitted by secretion to the articular surfaces?—Negative proofs.—Of the pretended synovial glands.—Experiments.

Is the Synovia transmitted by transudation to the articular surfaces?—Negative proofs.—Another opinion.

Is the Synovia transmitted by exhalation to the articular surfaces?—Positive proofs.—Analogy between the exhaled fluids and the synovia.—Consequences. 167

II. Remarks upon the Synovia.

Its quantity.—It varies a little.—Rare alterations of this fluid.—Its difference from the serous fluids. 173

III. Of the Synovial Membranes.

Forms.—They represent sacs without an opening.—Difference from the fibrous capsules.—These capsules are wanting in the greatest number of articulations.—Experiments.—Proofs of the synovial membrane where it adheres. 175

Organization.—Analogy with the serous surfaces.—Structure of the pretended synovial glands. 180

Properties.—Properties of texture.—Vital properties.—Experiments.—The synovial system is foreign to most diseases. 182

Functions.—They are foreign to the solidity of the articulation.—They have relation only to the synovia. 183

Natural Development.—State of the synovial membrane in infancy, adult and old age. 184

Preternatural Development.—Remarks upon this development. 185

ARTICLE SECOND.

SYNOVIAL SYSTEM OF THE TENDONS.

It is often confounded with the preceding. 186

Forms; relations; synovial fluid.—Forms of sacs without an opening.—Varieties of these forms.—Smooth and adhering surface.—Relation with the tendon.—Preternatural increase of the fluid. 186

Organization, properties, development.—Their phenomena are analogous to those of the preceding system.—Remarks upon the affections of this kind of synovial membranes. 189

GLANDULAR SYSTEM.

General observations.—What a gland is. 193

ARTICLE FIRST.

SITUATION, FORMS, DIVISION, &C. OF THE GLANDULAR SYSTEM.

Sub-cutaneous and deep position.—Relation of the position of the glands with their excretion.—Varieties of the glandular forms.—Distinction of these varieties.—External surface of the glands. 194

ARTICLE SECOND.

ORGANIZATION OF THE GLANDULAR SYSTEM.

I. Texture peculiar to the Organization of this System.

The fibrous arrangement is foreign to the glands.—There is but little resistance in the glandular texture.—Triple arrangement of this texture.—Uncertainty of the researches upon its nature.—Different experiments upon this texture.—Desiccation.—Peculiar effect of stewing.—Roasting.—Maceration.—Action of the acids, gastric juice, &c. 198

Of the excretories, their origin, divisions, &c. of the glandular reservoirs.—Origin.—Course.—Division of the glands into three classes, in regard to the termination of their excretories.—Of the reservoirs.—What supplies their place when they are wanting.—Motion of the fluids in the excretories. 204

Size, direction and termination of the excretories.—All the excretories open upon the mucous or cutaneous systems.—Observations upon the intestinal canal. 206