TRANSACTIONS OF THE SKCTiONS. 119 



A short Exposilion of the Functions of the Nervous Structure in the 

 Human Frame. By Robert Reid, M.D., M.R.I.A. 



The principal object of this communication was to enforce the method 

 of studying the nervous system under three di^dsions : viz. the gangli- 

 onic, the spiral, and the cerebral systems. Dr. Reid pointed out what 

 he conceived to be the principal function and province of each of these 

 systems, and stated his opinion that all diseases should be arranged, and 

 ail remedies selected, according as the latter have their action directed 

 to, and the former are found to affect one or other of these divisions of 

 the nervous system in particular. 



On Absorption. By Dr. Carson. 



Dr. Carson, having shortly sketched the history of discoveries on the 

 subject of absorption, and explained the nature of the questions relating 

 to the functions of the red veins, lacteals, and lymphatics in this respect, 

 proceeded to state his view of the operation of the red veins, with refer- 

 ence to the manner in which these veins communicate with the arte- 

 ries. The author contended for an intermediate communication by 

 means of cells, in aU cases ; that into these cells the extreme arteries 

 poured their contents ; that an extreme capillary artery had two com- 

 munications, one with the particle which it had deposited for a fixed 

 purpose, and another with the cell or channel common to it with the 

 corresponding extreme vein, which was to receive the blood not to be 

 deposited. The extreme vein in like manner had a double communi- 

 cation ; one through the cell with the artery, another with the particle 

 which had become useless in the system, and. which was to be displaced 

 by that deposited from the artery. 



The change of colour which takes place at this point of union of the 

 arterial and venous systems, the nature of the motion in the capillary 

 vessels, the permanence of their tubular character, owing to the resist- 

 ance of their parietes to external pressure, the nature of the changes 

 taking place in the blood as it passes to the lungs, were then discussed. 

 The lacteals and lymphatics being shortly noticed as employed in sup- 

 plying nutriment to the system, by absorbing from the alimentary canal 

 and from other internal surfaces, the author examined the analogous 

 action of the imbibers to the lungs, stating reasons founded on the me- 

 chanism of respiration for the conclusion, based on experiments, that 

 all the air which passes the bronchi enters the cavities of the veins and 

 performs the circulation with the blood, yielding heat and ultimately 

 nourishment to the frame. 



Dr. Carson observes, " It would appear that the change or renovation 

 of the frame is far more rapid than is generally supposed ; that air ex- 

 pired in respiration is supplied by this renovation ; and that the change 

 must, in the course of any stated period, exceed the whole substance of 

 the air expired in that period, as there are other channels through which 

 other matters not so readily evaporable are discharged. It is contended 



