MECHANISM OF ABSOKPTION. 53 



ON THE 



MECHANISM OF ABSORPTION. 



Necessity for due Performance of Circulation. Experiments 

 of Physiologists. Experiments of Natural Philosophers. 

 Application of these to the Phenomenon of Vascular Ab- 

 sorption. Absorption proportioned to the Velocity of the 

 Fluid moving in Vessels. This Doctrine accounts for 

 several Healthy and Morbid Processes in the Economy. 



[From the LANCET and MEDICAL GAZETTE of May, 1843.] 



IN a memoir which was read before the Royal 

 Medico -Chirurgical Society in February last, I 

 attempted to prove, by a series of experiments, that 

 a partial or complete obstruction to the passage of 

 the blood through the smaller vessels of the body 

 will cause the escape of its albuminous portion 

 through their coats. In the present communication 

 I wish to direct attention to the influence which the 

 opposite condition of the circulation exercises in 

 promoting the absorption of any fluids that may be 

 placed in contact with the external surface of the 

 vessels, or only separated from them by one or more 

 membranes. 



If we examine the facts brought forward to illus- 

 trate the process of absorption, we shall find that 

 the following is, perhaps, the only general conclu- 

 sion that can be safely drawn from them, viz. : 



E 3 



