59 



sanguinis, forms a tribasic phosphate of soda. This salt, like many 

 others, acts upon hematosin in such a manner as to produce the well 

 known bright arterial tint." 



19. Lymphatics of the Lungs. — Dr. Jajarvay* describes these 

 very minutely, dividing them into plexuses and vessels, which are 

 superficial and deep seated. Some of the vessels have swellings in 

 different parts which he calls varicose ; and in other parts are simple ; 

 these he calls capillaries. The peculiar structure and distributions 

 of these are very accurately described. It is worthy of remark, he 

 says, that the black matter of the lungs has its seat in the track of 

 the vessels of the varicose plexuses, and thus the pattern of these is 

 mapped out by the black substance. His injections have failed to 

 show how the lymphatics of the lungs come into connection with 

 those of the heart, and finally with the thoracic duct. He finds 

 that, for the most part, ganglions seated about the root of the 

 lungs receive the vessels, although he has noticed branches go 

 directly to the thoracic duct, and in other cases, join the diaphragm- 

 atic, oesophageal, &c. The ganglions about the left bronchus also 

 receive the lymphatics of the part which reach them after following 

 the curve of the aorta. 



20. Liver. — Comparative Structure of the Liver. — Dr. Joseph 

 Leidyf has published his researches in this direction. "He was 

 induced to make them public," he says, "under the impression that 

 some of the facts presented may be new, or that, at least, the anatomy 

 of the liver being presented in a somewhat new aspect, may be better 

 understood than by the former methods of description." The paper 

 has been prepared with much care, but does not admit of such con- 

 densation as would be necessary to bring it within our limits. 



Before passing to other subjects the committee would here notice 

 a remarkable paper by Professor Blake,J of St. Louis. 



21. On Isomorphous Relations. — Dr. Blake has experimented on 

 the influence of isomorphism, in determining the reactions which take 

 place between inorganic compounds and the elements of living beings. 

 The microscope has tempted investigators to depend too much on 

 the morphological examinations of physiological questions: whereas, 

 the law of isomorphism while determining the forms assumed by the 



* Archives Gen. de Med., Jan. et Fev. 1S47. 



f Am. Joum., Jan. 1848. J Ibid. 



