Observations on the muscularity of the hepatic and cystic ducts, as explanatory of the production of jaundice by moral causes / [Robert Knox].

  • Knox, Robert, 1791-1862.
Date:
[1836]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the muscularity of the hepatic and cystic ducts, as explanatory of the production of jaundice by moral causes / [Robert Knox]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    membrane, reticulated, but firm ; secondly, exterior to this, a cellular lanuginous, or cellulo-fibrous tunic, but not muscular; thirdly, in respect to the gall bladder, a partial covering, fur- nished by peritoneum ; and in respect to the ducts, an investing cellular tunic, derived seemingly from the capsule of Glisson, but not closely adhering to the second tunic, and indeed scarcely to be enumerated with propriety as one of the tuniqg. Now, so far as this description goes, it is both brief and faithful, with the exception, however, of the intimate nature of the second tunic, which a few have thought merely cellular, others celluloso-fibrous, and others distinctly muscular. Amongst those who deem it muscular, I shall only notice some valuable remarks by Dr Monro,* because they have been brought forward in a more distinct manner, and with a greater shew of proof, anatomical, physiological, and pathological, than any of the others. I shall not take it upon me to say in what respect his views may be original, but to me he seems to have preceded others in publishing these opinions. The proofs offered by Dr Monro for the muscularity of these ducts may be strictly reduced to the following heads : — First, It is inferred that the longitudinal muscular fibres of the intestines, though not visible in many parts of the gut, are yet present; and therefore there may exist muscular fibres in the bile ducts, although they are not visible. But I fear that this argument, drawn from analogy, is untenable: when not visible, these fibres are not present. Secondly, The gall bladder is said to adapt itself on all occasions to its contents, and also assist in expelling these. These are good argu- ments, but scarcely come under the head of proofs. What follows is different, and more decisive. It also contracts in a living animal when mechanically irritated, (which I have seen to take place for the space of half an hour, by which it some- what resembled an hour-glass.) I am not aware that this experiment has succeeded in any other hands; and farther on, at page 28, the doctor himself remarks, that these ducts (the biliary) seem to possess the contractile muscular power in an inferior degree to the ureters, for stimuli applied externally to the gall bladder, or the common biliary duct of a living animal, do not excite such an evident motion or contraction as takes place in tJie ureter. These are interesting experiments, and merit repetition, particularly with a view towards a reconciling of the statements, • OIjsolvations on Ppasm of the Gall Diicts liy Dr Monro. Kdiulinrgli, 1(126.