292 Magendie on Absorption. 
the distention of the blood vessels that the dimmution or 
total want of absorption must be attributed. 
From that moment I became, as it were, completely mas- 
ter of the phenomenon, which, until then, had been to me 
an impenetrable mystery. Being now able to produce or 
prevent its developement, to render it prompt or tardy, in-_ 
tense or — at pleasure, it was difficult that its nature 
—, atirely escape my investigation 
In reflecting on the constancy and the regularity of the 
passant seemed to me impossible to connect it with 
Ww siologists term vital action, such as the action 
aes; the contraction of the muscles, the secretion 
of the glands, &c. It was much more reasonable to com- 
pare it with some physical effects: and among the conjec- 
iures that may be permitted on the subject, that which 
would make absorption depend on the capillary attraction of 
the vascular membranes on the absorbed matter, was un- 
scalgeathe the most apie this supposition agrees a 
fectly 2d. For, if we suppose this | 
3) ae 
preset Seven ao Series to traverse the mem- 
branes of the small remels, should resist absorption, which 
is exactly the case: solids which, on the contrary, are capa- 
ble of combining with our system, or of dissolving in the 
blood, would be susceptible of being absorbed, which is al- 
SO" conformable to observations. ‘The greater number of 
Wetting, or ccioing premaply: imbibed by the nes 
conrmed by e experience, even with the caus 
is, the greater the distention of th the ce the 
oe marked would be the absorbing power, and the mo- 
ment might arrive when that — would be. no maps ae sen- 
Ee Sha a r smpende i Siidbe, bud chich panies | 
be it be 3 injected i into chy ular vein, ng it Sbetracts the he last st di 
the pulmonary artery. (See Vol. I. of of my. 
og) “eel in the int 
