460 Scientific Intelligence^ ^c. 



going on in the system. Multitudes, it was true, came into the 

 world with this disease entailed on them ; but this he considered a 

 result of the breach of the moral laws of the governor of the universe, 

 and a punishment inflicted on children reflected back from the 

 parents, until, according to the statement in the decalogue, in the 

 third or fourth generation, it ceased to propagate its contaminating 

 influence. 



Wednesday, 24:th Amjitst. — The first paper read was by Dr. 

 Hodgkin, on the connexion between the veins and absorbents. ]3r. 

 Hodgkin observed that the Committee appointed to make inquiries 

 into this sul)ject had been very fortunate, in the opportunities 

 afforded them of examining the bodies of subjects in whom the 

 lymphatics were much develo})ed. There was great difficulty in 

 injecting the lymphatics, it requiring a sharp eye and a delicate hand 

 to be anything like successful. Mercury injected into the lymphatics 

 will sometimes pass off by the veins, and some are disposed to admit 

 a natural communication between these structures. In injecting 

 subjects at Guy's Hospital, it was found that the mercury passed 

 easily from the glands into the veins, in very recent subjects. The 

 idea of transudation through the sides of the vessels must be rejected 

 in mercurial injections, though it may happen when water is injected. 

 Mr. Bracy Clark, in injecting the vessels in a horse, found a direct 

 communication between the receptaculum chyli and tlie lumbar 

 veins. Breschet is inclined to adopt the opinion that in the villi of the 

 internal canal, the lacteals communicate by minute openings with 

 the veins. If water is thrown into the arteries, it will almost imme- 

 diately fill the lymphatic vessels. Dr. li. has seen lymph flowing 

 in the thoracic duct tinged with blood. Mr. King has observed the 

 fact that the thyroid gland contained a number of small cells, which 

 were filled with a fluid differing from any other, and it is almost 

 proved that there is a communication between the internal surfaces 

 of these cells and the lymphatics of the organ. The most remarkable 

 observations on the lymphatics have been made on the inferior 

 animals. Dr. Hodgkin observed, that he believed the communication 

 of the veins and lymphatics occasionally happened, but that they 

 were not found at will. Dr. II. then explained the construction 

 of the valves of the veins of the different vessels, and illustrated his 

 description by diagrams. 



Dr. Read then read his paper, entitled '^ A short Exposition of 

 the Functions of the Nervous Structure." 



Dr. Gayward then read to the Section a paper, by Mr. Alcock, 

 containing some particulars on the Anatomy of the Fifth Nerve. 



Dr. Macartney exhibited to the members a portable probang. 



Dr. M. also read two short papers; one, an Account of the 

 Organs of Voice in the New IloUand Ostrich, and the other on the 

 Structure of the Teeth. 



The last paper was by Mr. Walker, on the Nerves and Muscles 

 of the Eye Ball. 



Thursday, 25th Avr/ust. — The papers were— First, " A report 

 of the Dublin Committee, appointed by the British Association, on 

 the Motion and Sounds of the Heart," read by Dr. Macartney. 



