294 Magendie on Absorption. 
he first minutes of the experiment the liquid 
which I noted did not change its nature, and after twelve 
or fifteen minutes it became sensibly acid; the absorption 
had taken place 
I repeated this experiment with veins taken from the hu- 
man body, the effect was the same. 
s phenomenon manifesting itself in the veins, I could 
see no reason why it should not equally take place when ap- 
plied to the arteries ; 1 consequently made the experiment 
on the carotid af a small dog which had died the RE Hd 
day, the result I obtained was exactly similar; I remar' 
ed pga that the absorption became more rapid in pro- 
ion as the acidity and temperature of the exterior liquid 
were increased. 
If the capillary absorption was s produced on the large 
ood vessels after death, why should not a sinular effect 
bep uced on the same vessels i in a living state? 
__ If experience did not give me this result, all my reason- 
itigseeibddes overthrown, and my supposition destroyed. 
- And I felt so much the less confidence in the success of the 
experiment as I kept in mind the observations which we 
daily hear of the — which death operates in the phys- 
ical properties of our 
Nevertheless, as I had often found in my a the 
advantages of doubting the exactness of gen 
ceived ea I determined on making the Eloding ex- 
the interior 
Seah 
