The elements of physiology : containing an explanation of the functions of the human body : in which the modern improvements in chemistry, Galvanism, and other sciences, are applied to explain the actions of the animal economy / translated from the French of A. Richerand ... by Robert Kerrison.

  • Richerand, A. (Anthelme), 1779-1840.
Date:
1808
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The elements of physiology : containing an explanation of the functions of the human body : in which the modern improvements in chemistry, Galvanism, and other sciences, are applied to explain the actions of the animal economy / translated from the French of A. Richerand ... by Robert Kerrison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    cessary to consider, that arterial exhalation and lymphatic absorption are carried on, at the same time, throughout the whole extent of internal surfaces; and that these two func- tions give us reason to believe the existence of both systems of vessels in membranes and in cellular structure. Lymphatic vessels emerging from the cellular net-work unite into trunks large enough to be distinguished from the laminae of that structure: these trunks take a direction towards certain parts of our body; there they unite to others, or continue parallel with frequent mutual commu- nications. Lymphatic vessels do not pass on singly, as arteries and veins; but united they form fasciculi of various magnitudes, some of which, deep-seated, accompany san- guiferous vessels in all their distributions; while others, more superficial, correspond to the sub-cutaneous veins of parts, situated like them between the cutis and aponeu- roses, and are most numerous on the inner side of the extre- mities, where they are more secure from external violence. The lymphatics of the parietes of large cavities form also two divisions, one superficial, the other deep-seated. Their peculiar serpentine direction, their very numerous communications, and particularly their unequal diameter in different parts of their extent, also distinguish them from sanguiferous vessels. A narrow lymphatic often dilates so much as to equal the thoracic duct in diameter, then con- tracts, and in its passage again dilates without receiving any branch in the course of this diversity of magnitude. When all the lymphatic net-works are filled with mercury, our organs are entirely covered with it, and the whole body seems enveloped by a thread of narrow close laminae. The passage of humours from one part to another very distant, seems easy of explanation to any one who has seen these numerous anastomoses made evident by injec- tions. Metastases to him cease to be an inexplicable phe